Across the years, renowned figures of Rugby League have graced the sport with their stunning ability to be flexible to any condition.

A small handful of these players have even gone to the lengths of crossing codes to prove just how far their talents can spread.

Whether it be Rugby Union, Rugby 7s or the AFL, league football has seen some stars of the game strut their stuff in other codes.

We look at five of the most prolific code hoppers to have featured in Rugby League.

2. Sonny Bill Williams

There aren't many players out there that have a CV that Sonny Bill Williams holds. SBW has played at the highest level in Rugby, Rugby League and Rugby 7s. SBW's individual and team achievements give onlookers an eye into how he can bring success to a playing group.

  • 2004 NRL Premiership (Bulldogs)
  • 2011 Rugby World Cup (All Blacks)
  • 2012 Super Rugby title (Chiefs)
  • 2012 New Zealand Professional Boxing Association (NZPBA) Heavyweight Champion
  • 2013 NRL Premiership (Roosters)
  • 2013 RLIF International Player of the Year
  • 2015 Rugby World Cup (All Blacks)

As a player in both rugby union and league, Williams was not only a hard hitter but also a devastating ball runner whose offload skills changed both codes.

While mainly playing as an inside centre in rugby union, those playing outside him were often seen running catastrophic support lines of Williams' offloads, more often than not leading to a linebreak or try.

Overall, Sonny's on-field performances in rugby league and union can only be matched by the way he conducts himself off the field.

3 COMMENTS

  1. For me, it’s hard to miss out Brad Thorn, who has played as an international in both League and Union, (although I don’t know which of the five I would drop to make room for him).

    Re-run this segment in a couple of years and you might find you will have to squeeze in Roger Tuivasa-Sheck as well.

  2. I wouldn’t call Jason Robinson “unforgettable”, because I’ve never heard of him !

    If we stick to NRL & Union, then I would add Noah Nadruku and Marika Koroibete.

  3. Agree with OldHarry, Brad Thorn would have to top this list. It’s pretty disrespectful to have the likes of Rogers and Sailor there above him.

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