Dally, I respect your view on Roger Millward,but I can assure you that the Australian fans feared him. I am not a HKR fan,for the record.

When Roger the Dodger paired with Tommy Bishop the two were a dazzling duo who ran rings around the Australian defenders.

Frank Myler was one hard man with not a little skill who I much admired and with more pace and speed off the mark he would have been the perfect stand off but, unfortunately, he did not have the pace.

Still scored alot of tries from far out though. So, must have had some pace!

Having thought about it, since I picked Murphy at Scrum half I have to go for Vinty at Loose Forward. Vinty was an assassin who combined well with Murphy, his club mate. Johnny Whiteley was a better footballer though and he has to take the other second row spot. Same conclusion. Slightly different rationale. My pack:-

Alan Prescott

Colin Clarke

Brian mcTigue

Dick Huddart

Johnnny Whiteley

Vinty Karalius

Subs

Cliff Watson

Derek Turner

Paul Sculthorpe

I agree. He was a player who I admired and who commanded the respect of friend and foe alike but compared to Jiffy or Murphy for speed off the mark what would you say? If i wanted a skilful hard man with some pace I would go for Frank but, at international level, the forwards should be supplying the grunt.

Ellery Hanley had great pace off the mark, so maybe you should pick him? In fact I would guess his speed off the mark was greater than the two you listed! He was, as I recall, the quickest over 10 yards in the GB squad in his era - including Offiah.

I am surprised that he was the fastest off the mark in the GB squad purely from what I have seen of him. I still do not think he would edge Murphy or Jiffy in their prime for speed off the mark..

He was a true great though and would be in most people's squad but where would you play him? Would it be at winger, centre, stand off or loose forward and, of course, the money would have to be right.

That's a massive accolade for Clarke to be in this company. Good as he was, was he better than Stephenson (my selection), Ashcroft, Bridges, Fisher, Ward, Dermott, Cunningham, Roby?

Despite the the gap in years,Stephenson and Roby were very similar players. I have come to the conclusion this is an impossible thread. Just let's be happy that we have seen these great players in our lifetime. Happy New Year to all RL Fans.

I tried to pick a pack which was skilful, pacy and aggressive. Stephenson was a great hooker, particularly in loose play, but he did not like the rough stuff. In the more sanitised modern game he may be OK but in his era there was plenty of dirty play which he did not like. As a wire fan I have many fond memories of Ashcroft. He always put in a full shift and never took a backward step, as I am sure Mr Stephenson could attest to, but he lacked the pace of Clarke. Bridges was a contested scrum hooker. Won more than his share of ball but not that good in the loose. I do not think Fisher or Ward had Clarke's pace. Dermott was light weight. Cunningham and Roby are serious contenders but between Clarke, Stephenson, Cunningham and Roby I think Clarke just shades it with his combination of pace and physicality. I would, however be happy with any of the others in my pack.

When was the last time a GB or England team beat the Kangaroos in a Series?

1978? I am not sure.

If that is right its 35 years ago.......

Plenty of posters here are far older than I imagined, they remember Vinty that last played in 1966 and Murphy from 1975.

That is 47 and 38 years ago from their last games not when they were at their best.

Maybe rose coloured glasses get in the way of reality.

Murphy had a build that would struggle in the modern game regardless of his skill set. Vinty looked like a "Raging Bull" would a player like Gallen be worried about him? No.



Comparing eras or long time periods does not stack up, there are too many variables.

What worked when Meninga was a Centre or Kenny a Stand off from the eighties may not be suited to what is today's game.

Would Andy Gregory be a star in todays game? he barely made an impact on Australia in his time because the game had moved on from barrel chested slow halves with some ball skills and determination.