I used to love watching Gaz Ellis tackle. When he hit someone, it was like they run full tilt into a brick wall.

I think i'd have Lager in the fullback berth.

David Barnhill

Its hard to say who's the toughest when only an observer but from the older ex pro's ive spoken to the name that usually most was mentioned is Malcolm Reilly.

Looking back, my memories of tough players would include

1. Derek Turner. You would just not cross that guy or he would make sure you ended up in the treatment room
2. Vince Karalius. A scrapyard owner who had no need for a car crusher.
3. Jim Mills. Tough, hard, skilful......a smiling assassin.

Kurt Sorenson
Jim Mills
Adrian Morely

will probably think of a few more as the day goes on

adrian vowles was hard for his size. remember his punch on lowes, and knocking a barnstorming vainakolo into row z at valley parade

Keith Senior.
Kylie Leuluai.
Jamie Peacock.

Trevor Skerrett
Roy Dickinson
Des Drummond

1, Kurt Sorenson (predominantly played in Uk)
2, Steve "Knocker" Norton
3, Adrian Morley

Australia/New Zealand
1, Paul Harrigan
2, Glen Lazarous
3, Les Boyd

Of those not mentioned Kevin Ward and Karl Fairbank plus Tony Fisher

Maybe the Legend John Holmes for all the late hits he recieved

Hard to say who whos the toughest but easy to say Tonie Carroll isnt one of the team. Jeez how the hell have people mentioned him in this thread?

Kevin Tamati, Les Boyd and Sorensen.

It's interesting to see pretty much entirely forwards in the list of "toughest" players. Forgetting of course that backs had to play against these thugs usually with a massive size disadvantage. It's why I included Drummond. Nobody f******d with him, despite him playing in "less enlightened" times. I could also include Kevin Dick, Sid Hynes, Alan Smith, George Fairbairn, Daryl Powell, etc.

Led Boyd was a disgrace. He may have been tough but he rightfully got banned out of the game here in Aus. Unbelievable how some Wire fans saw him as a cult figure but were seemingly horrified by Bailey signing for them.

That he was. Shame because he could have been a great player had he just played rugby. Fast, great ball skills and a destructive wide running second row.