The BEST R.U. Converts ever.

Martin Offiah
Jonathan Davies
Alan Tait

END OF.

If only you had stopped typing after the first two

There is certainly an argument for Davies and Offiah being among the most successful Union converts ever but you are pushing it with Tait – a very fine player, but really is he in the same category as Boston or Watkins?

Or did you mean these were the best Union converts you have seen play – END OF?

Too many people have short memories or no sense of history. RL owes a lot more to RU than many would like to think.

So not Michael O'Connor then ?

To be fair to Widneslatic, Tait was a hugely exciting and talented player. The way he chimed into the line at Widnes was great to see and his depedency at full back made him one of the first on the teamsheet whoever he played for. He represented GB on 16 occasions including the World Cup final and won practically every honour in RL (unsure about Wembley) and won the Harry Sunderland trophy back to back in 88 & 89. When he went back to Union he was selected for te successful Lions tour of 97 scoring in the first test.

Not saying he was the best but he was right up there.

true if the RFU were an honest organisation wed still be playing RU

You are right, Tait was a very good player

I guess I just objected to the statement that those three were the "The BEST R.U. Converts ever... END OF" when there are obviously many other great players to consider

Can't deny nick that he was a great RL player when he came from union.
But in saying that when he played for Saints he was completely useless.
Doesn't he now coach the Aussies RU sevens side?

Although it would be RU with 13 players aside, less kicking, no lineouts or scrums which are solely designed to cripple participants. It would also be faster flowing with more emphasis on passing the ball and would still be dominated by teams in the North of england.

Offiah and Davies are great players that came from union.
Tait was a good player but not in the same league IMO.

I think it's fair to say that more Union converts have been successful in league than the other way round.

Too right.
Isn't it true that at the time of the great split in 1895 that the northern clubs where dominating the southern softies.

you cant be certain of that

the RFU has been resistant to change for over a century, it like the way its game is played

the nswru/ARU and NZRU have been begging them for rule changes for 100 years and they never do much

and had RL not been around in 1908 there would only be 1 major sport in australia, AFL

union was on the wane and AFL taking over in nsw and queensland until RL came and took over

so really ive got a lot to thank the RFU for. they gave me the nrl indirectly

That’s a pretty big call

I would be fascinated to know how you would go about proving that? (or were you just being facetious)

To help get you started, below is a list of the League converts since 1996 who have gone on to achieve full Union international caps that I can think of

Over to you

Jason Robinson
Barrie Jon Mather
Andrew Walker
Iestyn Harris
Henry Paul
Brad Thorn
Mat Rogers
Wendell Sailor
Lote Tuqiri
Andy Farrell
Berrick Barnes
Ben MacDougall
Chris Ashton
Ryan Cross
Lesley Vainikolo
Timana Tahu
Sonny Bill Williams
Craig Gower
Shontayne Hape

Only because it has been the last 15 years since RL players went to play RU. Prior to that hardly anyone would have gone to RU from RL.

Despite that RU is desparate to sign RL players now because they have problems developing players with the requisite handling and tackling skills.