And there is the crux of the argument - I don't understand how anybody who hasn't seen both play can comment

I didn't see Murphy play (save some video) so I don't know who was best

As for Lewis vs. Johns which is a major part of this thread - I did see both, and while Johns was a great player, and I would go for Lewis

As great as a player Johns is he is no Wally Lewis that's for sure,and in my opinion Brett Kenny is better than the pair of them but it's all about opinions.

This.

This what?

I wonder if Mark Geyer voted for Johns or Lewis?

I'll respect Mark Geyer's opinion (although he may be biased) because he's actually played against some of these guys, but the others are merely journalists and writers whose opinions are no more valid than anyone on this forum.

I also have grave misgivings about the judgement of any selection committee who can rank Fittler ahead of Kenny.

Funny enough I just saw Andrew Johns in Mona Vale this afternoon. What are the odds? I should've said. "Didn't you used to play Rugby League for Warrington?"

Back to the question being British(and biased) it has to be Murphy,without a shadow of a doubt.

In my view Murphy was withoubt doubt the best rugby player ever - and that comes from a Wiganer.

He had a phenomenal turn of speed and was as tough as nails, but so do many top players. More than any other player in the history of the sport, Murphy dictated the way a game unfurled whether with the ball or without. He controlled his own team magnificently, he dominated the opposition and in a way I have never seen since he put referees into his back pocket. The nickname 'Murphy the mouth' was well deserved. His knowledge, planning and understanding of the ebb and thrust of a match are unparalleled. His tactics at Wembley in 1966 caused the RFL to change the rules of the game. His antics to get an opponent sent off at Wembley in 1971 illustrate his control.

When Murphy was in the opposition side playing against your own team, you only watched and despised Murphy. When he played for GB, you loved to watch the reaction of the Aussie players.

He had this success over a long period and at three clubs (St Helens, Leigh and Warrington) and continued after his playing career ended.

Johns was terrific - but he was not Alex Murphy

My Dad has seen both play and he thinks Murphy is one of the best, between him and Shaun Edwards. He rates Wally Lewis and Alfie Langer higher than Johns.

They are from different eras and from different games really. Rugby League of Murphy's era is completely different to Johns' era.

Pathetic really.

1. A NSW magazine.
2. Conducted by a NSW editor, Lenehan.
3. And 5 out of 6 NSW judges.



Durkin knows his stuff, as does Middleton.

No time for any of the other 4 mentioned. Tasker?

Why not conduct it at a NSW Origin function next time?

Messi is fitter than Pele too.

So?

I love it how rugby league fans who know nothing about the history of the game claim "you can't compare between eras and countries" but apparently sports like soccer or cricket can...



Wake up the lot of you.

Biased alleged experts in most cases.



Tasker... lol