Let's put it this way - if Hampshire was Toppo I would be absolutely gutted that he hadn't re-signed by now. If Hampshire doesn't I will be disappointed.

I saw Poynton play & Topliss, players the calibre of these two were born with natural ability, they also learns d & honed their skills to reach their peak as a complete player. Poynton was lucky he played with more/better players
Around him. What people forget is that poynton put a lot of time into topless to make him a better player.
Now then, follies wanted to go to Aus, so he went at the end of the englis h season, played in the Aus season & came back 4 games into our winter season. Both Aussie teams he played for wanted to keep him & made offers pre 1979 ! He stayed loyal to Wakefield & his promise to return each time ! The then Aussie press & NRL. Could not understand this, in his seasons their which is well documented, they said he played the best 5-8ths seen in Australia his handling skills, speed & creativity was not available in other Aussie players at that time !! All facts, I do accept Avengers opinion but it is not factual but then that's why we have a forum.
Watch the Hull CC replay & see his scrum scissors move which he scored against reg Bowden & Eric Hughes he totally fooled them until it was too late & by that age/time he was slowing up ! This was toppo at his best.
When he did retire, Hull struggled, used Fred Achoi but he could not do what Toppo could, knocker Norton & the club owner + coach said they never replaced Topliss with a like player, the problem is at that time they couldn't get one/ the same quality, they don't grow on trees !

Anyone would think I’d said he was a terrible player
IMO he wasn’t World Class, his only International recognition came as a late call up and after the 1982 Kangaroos had rubbished everyone else in the first 2 Tests. Had he been World Class he’d have been a regular International player for a long period of time.




Well, I may be on her but I’m certainly not on my own as. Trinity supporter, remembering that this forum is a tiny percentage of the actual fan base, there are plenty that rate Topliss but don’t go over the top.

His guest appearances in the ARLs Winfield Cup came at a time when many British players went to Aus and did well. The Ausie game hadn’t evolved at that time and British players were as goos as most they had out there

Get your facts right Avenger. Topliss played 4 times for GB, twice for England and 15 times for Yorkshire. The consensus of opinion amongst knowledgeable RL people such as Peter Fox is that he was very unfortunate to be overlooked , and lesser players selected at stand off.

David Topliss is one of the main reasons why I started to follow Trinity and started playing rugby in the 1970s as a young lad. He was absolute class and had he had better players around him or played for a more successful team then he'd have got more international honours I'm sure.

I’ve got my facts right thank you and I didn’t have to Wikipedia his name to do it.

He played 4 times for GB in a career that spanned what, 20 years or so?

As I said, I rated Toppo but he wasn’t World Class IMO, he was a very good player who for the most part stuck with his hometown club and showed some loyalty.

The rose tinted brigade on here needn’t get precious about him because I’m not in any way disrespecting how good he actually was.

Actually I think you are very much disrespecting how good he actually was.

At the risk of being pedantic Avenger you inferred Topliss only represented GB once.Knew that was incorrect and yes checked. So what!
I too watched Poynton throughout his career and he also did not gain the ‘caps’ he should have. Two great players. Different in style ,both of whom , in my opinion , were world class.

Well you’re entitled to your opinion as am I, but you’re wrong there’s no disrespect in anything I’m saying.

Look back and you’ll see the only thing I’ve said is 5hat he wasn’t World Class but was a very good player.

Not good enough for those who disagree to just disagree though is it, there has to be an element of anger as well?

Why is someone part of a 'rose tinted brigade' if they happen to hold a different opinion about a Trinity player? can't they just have exactly what it is - a different opinion.

Because he is way more to this club than just a good player but actually you didn't just say he wasn't world class, you listed a bunch of players who you think were better in his generation and then listed a bunch of players in Super League that you think are better, some of which were just a joke comparison.

No what I said was that he was a late call up and selected in 82 after the Ausies had torn through everybody else. Anyone who knows the circumstances of his selections would understand they were on multiple separate occasions.

What I listed were a number of players who were “AS GOOD or better”

Joke comparison, In your opinion of course and now who’s being disrespectful?

Being a much loved ex player doesn’t make you World Class either.