It's darned excellent, just the record bit made me smile - no offence intended

I dont class him as world class, in fact i dont class any player in SL world class.SL has very good players,and thats about it.

Ah right. Matt King was world class until he came to SL now hes good...amazing what a plane journey can do

Ellis and Burgess were good but the journey on the plane made them world class

World Class i agree should be an extra higher rare grade

Hanley compared to Richards No contest
that's the difference from being world class to just very very good

A very good point.

Phrases like 'world class' get thrown about much too liberally at times.

Scored a hat trick at Origin, played 10 times for Aus which isnt bad as there arent many international games a year. Scored 60 tries in 4 years at the Storm. When Wire signed him he was one of the best centres/wingers in the world. But, that doesnt make him world class?

Ellis has got player of the season for 2 years in a row at Wests ahead of Farrah and Marshall. Sheens called him dollar for dollar the best signing the club has ever made.

Richards I agree with, but O'Loughlin?

Hanley compared to all but a handfull who've ever played the game: No contest. I think you're confusing 'legendary' with 'world class' there. The term 'world class' is surely reserved for those who are among the best in the world in their position at any time during their playing career. Richards certainly qualifies.

King - If he was one of the best centres/wingers in the world, why had Aus dropped him? Even if we assume aus had the best outside back at the time that still makes him the 3rd best centre and 3rd best winger. If you had Tate, Inglis, Kenny-Dowall, Folau, Vatuvei and Richards at your disposal would you give him a run?

Ellis - Good value for money I'm sure and a very good player but he doesn't seem to be able to turn it on at international level unlike Thaiday, Lockers, Burgess and Gallen who I would call world class.

Don't get me wrong I'm not having a go at these guys, they both tear it up in the league but I think they're both a little short of world class. Out of interest who would you rate as the best 17 in the world right now? I'd say:

1 Slater
2 Folau
3 Inglis
4 Tate
5 Vatuvei
6 Lockyer
7 Thurston
8 Blair
9 Smith
10 Burgess
11 Thaiday
12 Gallen
13 O'Loughlin

14 Marshall
15 Graham
16 Civoniceva
17 Kenny-Dowall

Sorry Rooney is not world class.

I hoped someone would bite on that. The point is he was World Class and isn't now. And the point about Richards' earlier Wigan form was made but now he is World Class and you have proved my point for me very well Thanks