The TEN best second-rowers in the NRL

The below takes into account players who mainly play second row or players where second-row is their best position. For instance, I have graded Cameron Murray and Tevita Pangai Jr as locks. Top TEN best fullbacks in the NRL Top TEN best wingers in the NRL Top TEN best centres in the NRL Top TEN best five-eighths in the NRL Top TEN best second-rowers in the NRL Ryan Matterson Unlucky not to be further up the list is the Eels monster in Matterson. He made big waves in the off-season by forcing a move to the blue and gold and I believe he delivered in a big way. The 192cm giant ran for almost 125 metres per game, tackled at over 91% and even crossed for three tries. Throw in 35 offloads, three line breaks, three line-break assists and 38 tackle breaks and that makes for a more than a handy season. [caption id="attachment_59227" align="alignnone" width="696"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 12: Blake Ferguson and Ryan Matterson of the Eels celebrate Ryan Matterson scoring a try during the round five NRL match between the Parramatta Eels and the Penrith Panthers at Bankwest Stadium on June 12, 2020 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)[/caption] Matterson must have been extremely close to making that NSW squad. I was actually shocked he was overlooked. I don't think he'll miss out next year if he continues his increase progression. Elliott Whitehead Full disclosure; Whitehead is one of my favourite players in the competition. I love the mix of aggressive running and clever ball-playing that he brings to the Green Machine. Five tries, seven line-breaks, five try-assists and 10 offloads prove his potency in attack. In defence, he made just under 90% of his tackles. His running metres were up a little from 2019, whereas is missed tackles were way down. [caption id="attachment_35441" align="alignnone" width="696"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 17: Elliott Whitehead of the Raiders passes the ball during the round 15 NRL match between the Wests Tigers and the Canberra Raiders at Campbelltown Sports Stadium on June 17, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Evans/Getty Images)[/caption] Whitehead becomes even more important moving forward following on the shift back to Wigan by John Bateman. Whitehead is an incredible edge forward for club and country and helps his halves by being so creative. Jaydn Su'A Few reputations of players grew in 2020 quite as much as the young Rabbitoh. He came a long way in his second season at the club and earned an Origin birth under Wayne Bennett. Over 100 metres per game combined with 21 offloads and over 92% tackle efficiency combined to make him the all-round second-rower. He also had 41 tackle breaks too, just quietly. [caption id="attachment_61693" align="alignnone" width="696"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JULY 26: Jaydn Su'a of the Rabbitohs is tackled during the round 19 NRL match between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the St George Illawarra Dragons at ANZ Stadium on July 26, 2019 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)[/caption] Across 21 appearances for the Bunnies and an Origin series, he forged himself a reputation that will only continue to rise in 2021. One to watch. Wade Graham Wade Graham had a well below par 2020 but remains one of the game's elite back rowers. He was put under extreme defensive pressure by his outside men and therefore expended too much energy in that department to be his usual ball-playing genius self. In a "down" season he still managed four tries, six line breaks, three line-break assists, 10 offloads and over 90 metres per game. He also contributed four try assists, 21 tackle breaks and six forced dropouts. [caption id="attachment_24524" align="alignnone" width="696"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 23: Wade Graham of the Sharks makes a break during the NRL Preliminary Final match between the Cronulla Sharks and the North Queensland Cowboys at Allianz Stadium on September 23, 2016 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)[/caption] I have no doubt that Graham will be back to his destructive best in 2021. There were games where Wade was hardly sighted, frustrating Sharks fans who saw him absolutely destroy the Tigers in round three in 40 of the most dominant minutes you'll see from any player all season. Boyd Cordner For the life of me I will never understand the negative wraps on the Roosters and Blues captain. Cordner is literally as tough as they come and cops more undue criticism across social media than any other player in the game. Multiple injuries restricted him to just 13 appearances for the Roosters but he was still able to cross for two tries, make two line breaks, six offloads and a line break assist. He ran for over 128 metres per game and made 90% of his tackles. He was so good in Origin I prior to being forced from the field. His absence saw the Blues lose so much fire-power for the remainder of the series. I hope he's able to overcome the lingering concussion concerns and return to the field sooner rather than later. https://youtu.be/UdbH9axY78A Watch Zero Tackle's own Dan Nicholls over at Rugby League Outlaws David Fifita This entry is based more on what he showed in a short time in 2020 combined with his potential. Limited to just nine appearances in 2020 Fifita still managed to create some highlight-reel moments. His try against the Cowboys in Round 1 will be remembered fondly by Broncos fans and will have Titans fans licking their lips at what they have recruited. [caption id="attachment_45127" align="alignnone" width="696"] BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 05: David Fifita of the Maroons runs the ball during game one of the 2019 State of Origin series between the Queensland Maroons and the New South Wales Blues at Suncorp Stadium on June 05, 2019 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)[/caption] Four tries, four line breaks and an insane 45 tackle breaks (remember he only played nine times) show just how hard this kid is to handle. Without a doubt the biggest recruit for 2021 and beyond. The Titans have an absolute weapon at their disposal. Tohu Harris I'd argue that the 29-year-old Warrior had his career-best year in 2020, which is saying something. His performance on the field won him Team of the Year honours and his efforts off-field saw his magnificent reputation grow even further. Almost 175 metres run per game combined with 845 tackles made at over 93% show his worth as a workhorse, while his ability to shift from wide to the middle at either lock or prop proves his versatility. [caption id="attachment_42230" align="alignnone" width="696"] AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - MARCH 16: Tohu Harris of the Warriors makes a break during the round 1 NRL match between the New Zealand Warriors and the Canterbury Bulldogs at Mt Smart Stadium on March 16, 2019 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Phil Walter/2019 Getty Images)[/caption] Harris is one of, if not the, most underrated player on this list. He won't provide the tackle busting ability of others but he'll give you big minutes and big effort to go with his big numbers. Incredible! Felise Kaufusi Another player who just continues to go from strength to strength. He was massive in the Grand Final and had an Origin series that saw him outplay some massive names in sky blue. Kaufusi is another who doesn't deliver huge numbers but in a system designed to share the workload, he's a regular 8/8.5 out of 10 without any fuss. [caption id="attachment_70501" align="alignnone" width="696"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 13: Felise Kaufusi of the Storm scores a try during the round 14 NRL match between the Sydney Roosters and the Melbourne Storm at the Sydney Cricket Ground on August 13, 2020 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)[/caption] A big minute player, he averages 85 metres per game, tackles at over 91% and even scored a couple of tries to go with four line breaks and four line-break assists. Cannot overstate how good he was in the Grand Final and Origin. Angus Crichton I know there will be blowback here in the comments in regards to Crichton being here, but I couldn't care less if I actively tried. This guy is as elite as any second rower that we have in the game right now. I almost had him at one, but I think we'll agree on one once you see it. Crichton was magnificent all season. Across 15 appearances for the Roosters, he scored five tries, had six line breaks, three line-break assists, 23 offloads, and 54 tackle breaks. He made a massive 10 tackle breaks in the semi-final against Canberra alone. [caption id="attachment_41155" align="alignnone" width="696"] GOSFORD, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 02: Angus Crichton of the Sydney Roosters looks on during the NRL Trial match between the Manly Sea Eagles and the Sydney Roosters at Central Coast Stadium on March 02, 2019 in Gosford, Australia. (Photo by Ashley Feder/Getty Images)[/caption] Just as good in defence, Crichton made 572 tackles at 92%. That to go along with his 124 metres per game. Those stats are incredible. Everything about Crichton is incredible. With Cordner looking at two months on the sidelines in 2021, it looks as though Angus will be the main man in Bondi. There isn't a club in the NRL who won't be looking at him now that he's off-contract. Viliame Kikau Despite momentarily flirting with an alternate number one, there can be no real argument here that the hulking Penrith second-rower is the best in the game. Seven tries, ten line breaks, 67 tackle breaks. 67 TACKLE BREAKS! He is, without a doubt, the most dangerous wide running second-rower in the game. I was astonished to see he made just under 100 metres per game, although his impact equates to a much higher number. That average is also skewed by a few match-ending injuries. [caption id="attachment_26330" align="alignnone" width="696"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 18: Viliame Kikau of the Panthers is tackled during the round three NRL match between the Penrith Panthers and the Sydney Roosters at Pepper Stadium on March 18, 2017 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)[/caption] There isn't enough money in the world to pay me to try and defend the line against this machine. He's made that Penrith edge the most dangerous in Rugby League. At 25 and entering his fifth season in the top grade, I shudder to think of the carnage he will leave in 2021.

		P	W	PTS	+/-
1	MEL	1	1	2	48
2	CRO	1	1	2	40
3	PEN	1	1	2	26
4	NZW	1	1	2	24
5	NEW	1	1	2	10
6	SOU	1	1	2	10
7	CAN	1	1	2	1
8	CBR	1	1	2	1

The TEN best second-rowers in the NRL

We rate the top 10 second rowers in the competition. Did we get it right?👇

3. Felise Kaufusi

JOIN THE DISCUSSION Cancel reply

Latest News

Ben Hunt no guarantee to be offered new deal in Brisbane

Raiders back set to make Canberra exit as new option looms

Bears to chase opening game against Sydney club

NRL warns coaches over disrupters, rucks, late contact, play the balls...

Panthers back makes startling revelation over 2025 axing

FOLLOW US