In regard to class, Schofield was in a different universe to senior. I guess you never saw Schoey in his prime.

Joe Lydon wasn't a bad player either. Darryl Powell had a very good test career too.

Schofield was a better centre than Senior no doubt.

Loughlin by plenty

Schofield had the advantage of vision, which seemed to put him about two moves in front of everyone else.
I can't count the number of times he seemed to produce that X Factor moment, which I could not have predicted as a spectator, to apparently produce something from nothing. You can't coach that kind of natural talent.

The others we have discussed did not possess that rarest of gifts, found in the true footballers of the game.

I think the problem with trying to compare Senior and Schofield is that Senior had a long long career playing many games at the highest level. Schofield career wasn’t quite as long bust still a decent length but he aged very quickly in those last few years, and ended up a shadow of his former self playing in a different position.

It would be like asking who was the better fullback Brett Hodgeson or Iestyn Harris

Senior is easily the best centre of the super league era. Not sure about last 30 years though. Schofield and Hanley both started in the centre and where both better, Lydon was pretty good as well, but was a better fullback and should have played more there and he may have been the best fullbacks he game ever had.
Senior is way better than newlove and Connelly though,(without being disrespectfull of those two)

I suggest those too young to remember Schoey as a centre, or like me were quite young and want a re-cap, there's lots of good stuff on a certain video-sharing site. Exceptional player. More than reasonable 'tache too.

The difference between Hanley and Senior in this debate is that I don't think Hanley really earned his reputation as a centre. He was a 6 or 13 really. Mainly 13 for me.

My point was, though, while we can argue about the place of players like Slater, Inglis, Thurston and Smith in the pantheon of all time greats, it's been a fair while since we've produced anyone who will even be part of that discussion in years to come.

Looked at another way. If I were to select a world 13 for the 25-26 years I've been watching (I try not to dabble too much in rating players I never actually saw) I only end up with 3 Brits in it. I don't think any of them played any international RL in this millennium.

More to the point, none of the current crop even crossed my mind seriously to consider. The last who did was probably Sculthorpe, although he ends up well, well behind the likes of Hanley and Fittler.

Slater
Ettingshausen
Schofield
Meninga
Offiah

Lockyer
Johns

Webcke
Smith
Wiki
Tallis
Clyde
Hanley

I had lots of debates with myself. For instance, I can see people's point if they wanted SBW in there, but I've picked on actual achievement, not just potential, particularly in the international game. Anyway, Tallis would have mauled SBW and probably eaten him.

Fair enough. I thought about it.

Lots of debates like that. None of them involving English players.

I'd go with...

Slater
Sailor
Inglis
Maninga
Tuquiri
Lockyer
Johns
Webcke
Buderus
Wiki
SBW
Ali
Hanley

They were "different centres". Schofield, for all his world class displays there, was truly awful defensively. In fact, his defence consisted of "let try and intercept rather than tackle". He wasn't overly prolific at feeding his winger either.

Senior is vastly under rated by British fans. Gleeson always seemed to play very well in internationals. They were a good pairing.

But I see something special in Watkins. Comparing the full careers of retired internationals with a lad of his age isn't exactly equitable however I see no reason why he won't be something very special by the time he is done.

That's an impressive looking side. But would put Wally in at six ahead of anyone, and Tallis would have killed sbw.

Interesting to see no love for Brad Fittler, who for me would be ahead of both Daley and Lockyer. An inspirational player, much in the Peacock mould in the way he could drag teams to victory.

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Still got your dinner down

Micky Mac? What's wrong with Micky Mac? Say 10 times fast....Micky Mac, Micky Mac, Micky Mac, Micky Mac, Micky Mac, Micky Mac, Micky Mac, Micky Mac, Micky Mac, Micky Mac!

Still got your dinner down