Super League’s Ultimate Immortals: The Fans’ Greatest XIII of All Time

The debate in pubs, on forums, and across social media has raged for nearly three decades. Who are the true titans of the Super League era? The legends who defined an age, whose brilliance transcended their clubs to become icons of the competition itself. Now, after thousands of your votes, the verdict is in. The people have spoken. This is not a list compiled by a panel of pundits; this is rugby league’s hall of fame, chosen by you. From the fullback to the loose-forward, we present the definitive, fan-voted Super League Greatest XIII.

The Fullback & The Wing Wizards: A Backline Built on Brilliance

Selecting the back three was a task that highlighted the era’s incredible attacking riches. In the number one jersey, one name stood head and shoulders above the rest. At fullback, your overwhelming choice is Kris Radlinski. The Wigan warrior embodied reliability and explosive support play. His bravery under the high ball was legendary, and his try-saving tackles were as celebrated as his scores. He set the modern standard for the position.

On the wings, you selected pure, unadulterated finishing power. Jason Robinson takes one spot, his “Billy Whizz” persona leaving a trail of mesmerised defenders from Wigan to Bradford. His footwork and acceleration were simply from another planet. Alongside him, with a staggering strike rate, is Lesley Vainikolo, the “Volcano.” His tenure at Bradford Bulls was a period of pure destruction; a combination of brutal power and surprising agility that made him the most feared winger of his generation.

The Halves: The Architects of an Era

This was perhaps the most hotly contested area of all. The halfbacks are the engine room of any great team, and your choices represent the pinnacle of tactical and creative genius. At scrum-half, the winner is Andrew Johns. Though his Super League stint was brief, his impact at Warrington was seismic. You voted for pure, unrivalled quality, and “Joey” provided a masterclass in game management, kicking, and vision that elevated everyone around him.

Partnering him at stand-off is the man many consider the competition’s greatest import: Jamie Lyon. His two-season spell at St Helens redefined the role. A perfect blend of strength, skill, and ice-cool decision-making, Lyon was the complete offensive conductor. This pairing offers the ultimate balance: Johns’ relentless organising brilliance alongside Lyon’s devastating attacking orchestration.

The Unbreakable Engine Room: Your Front Row & Hooker

Great teams are built from the front, and your selected pack is a monument to power, skill, and longevity. At prop, you’ve chosen two icons who combined relentless meterage with sublime skill. Jamie Peacock (Bradford, Leeds) is the first name on the team sheet—a leader of men, an indefatigable workhorse, and a winner wherever he went. Alongside him is Adrian Morley, whose fearsome reputation was forged in Super League before he conquered the NRL. He brought a terrifying, game-setting physicality that made him the competition’s enforcer.

At hooker, the vote was clear: James Roby. The St Helens metronome, whose career spanned the dawn of Super League to its modern era, is the embodiment of durability and quality. His lightning service from dummy-half, tireless defence, and crucial tries make him the undisputed choice for the number nine jersey.

The Second Row & Loose: Icons of Skill and Steel

Your second-row pairing offers a perfect blend of athleticism, skill, and sheer will to win. Ellery Hanley, though his peak preceded Super League, was voted in for his transcendent talent and influence as a player-coach at Leeds, embodying the spirit of the new era. Partnering him is Gareth Ellis, the Hull FC legend whose performances upon returning from the NRL showcased a world-class all-round skillset—a defensive leader with the hands of a centre.

At loose-forward, commanding the middle of the park, is Paul Sculthorpe. The St Helens talisman, a two-time Man of Steel, was the prototype modern lock: a second playmaker, a formidable defender, and a prolific scorer. His ability to dominate games from number thirteen made him an irresistible choice for your team.

The Centres: Power, Pace, and Unrivalled Legacy

The midfield selections tell the story of Super League’s most dominant eras. In the centres, you have chosen:

• Paul Newlove (Bradford, St Helens): The archetypal powerful centre. His fend was a weapon of mass destruction, and his ability to break the line and offload changed how the position was played.
• Jamie Lyon (St Helens): A second entry, highlighting his phenomenal impact. Voted in at centre as well as stand-off, you recognised his dual legacy. At centre for Saints, he was perhaps even more devastating, forming the most lethal partnership in the league’s history with winger Ade Gardner.

Analysis & The Verdict: What This Team Tells Us

This fan-voted XIII is more than a list of great players; it’s a historical document. The heavy representation from Bradford Bulls and St Helens in the early-to-mid 2000s confirms that period as Super League’s first true golden age of dominance. The inclusion of a “special guest” like Andrew Johns acknowledges the seismic impact of world-class NRL talent. The enduring presence of one-club legends like Roby and Radlinski speaks to the value of loyalty and sustained excellence.

This team has everything: The leadership of Peacock, the genius of Johns, the power of Vainikolo, the grace of Lyon, and the relentless engine of Roby. It is a team that could adapt to any era, play any style, and, undoubtedly, win anything.

The Future: Who Challenges the Immortals?

This list is not closed. The debate will evolve. As we look ahead, current stars are already mounting a challenge. Could the sheer brilliance of Tom Trbojevic in a brief stint challenge the backline? Will the longevity and leadership of James Roby eventually see him joined by a modern hooker like Edwin Ipape? Can a modern prop like Tom Burgess, with his decade of service, break into the front row conversation? The beauty of this exercise is its fluidity. In another decade, the conversation will be richer, and the votes may tell a new story.

The final whistle has blown on the vote. You have assembled a team of legends, a squad that captures the heart, soul, and brutal beauty of Super League. This is your hall of fame, your immortal XIII. They are the players who made you cheer, who made you believe in magic, and who, through your votes, have been forever enshrined as the greatest of all time.

Source: Based on news from Sky Sports.

Image: CC licensed via commons.wikimedia.org