With the off-season comes the usual troupes.
Talk of expansion, the divisions talk, player movements and of course post-season rankings.
Today we're here to focus on the rankings. More specifically, the NRL second rower rankings from 2023.
Please keep in mind that these rankings are based only on 2023. Both NRL and Origin performances will be taken into account. Not specifically who is the best second rower outright.
Anyone looking for Tohu Harris or Cam Murray, they are ineligible here and will be discussed when the top ten lock forwards are released.
Before we start, I'm going to take a moment to answer some of the usual questions to appear in the comments to any sort of rankings.
This was extremely difficult. The original shortlist was 18. So if your favourite missed out, I am indeed the worst person ever.
Do I even watch football? Yes, every game.
Are my eyes painted on? No. That would be funny though.
Who am I? Just a fan.
With that said, below are the top 10 NRL second-rowers based purely and totally on 2023:
Honourable mentions:Lachlan Fitzgibbon, Hudson Young, Eliesa Katoa, Connelly Lemuelu
3. Briton Nikora
Briton Nikora became a true ace for the Sharks in 2023. He and Nicho Hynes formed one of the most lethal edges in the competition.
Across his 25 appearances Nikora scored eight tries, made a ridiculous 18 line-breaks, had 22 offloads, ran for 102 metres per game and tackled at over 92%.
Nikora runs arguably the best line in the competition on that right side. He would have been one of the first players picked for the Kiwis.
Nikora outpointed bigger name second rowers in every single stat this season. He misses second spot by the very literal smallest of margins.
