Wingers have never been more important to team success than they currently are. They seem to get better and better every season.
Some of the tries we've seen over the past few seasons have to be seen to be believed. The metres made by these "smaller" players is so crucial in the modern game.
2022 saw a plethora of massive performances from a host of wingers. Whether that be tries, try saving tackles, highlight reel leaps or getting sets off to a solid start, the modern-day winger is a different animal.
Below are the ten best wingers from 2022.
As with our earlier fullbacks list, this is based purely on 2022 and isn't necessarily a list of the best wingers overall.
To qualify for this list the player must have played more games in the wing spot than at any other position.
1. Alex Johnston
Alex Johnston continues to cop unfair criticism for being "just a try scorer". Let that settle in for a moment; a winger being "just a try scorer".
This winger managed to cross for 30 tries so even if it were his only ability, that's perhaps the game's most sought-after trait.
Johnston ran for 123 metres per game in 2022 as well as making 41 line breaks, breaking 73 tackles and tackling at almost 85%.
In a generation of World Class finishers, Alex Johnston just may be the best of them all. He certainly was in 2022. I've stated previously that if I had to back a player to score with my prized possessions on the line, I'd want the ball in the hand of the South Sydney flyer.
I see what you mean. I thought JAC at 10 must be questionable, but it’s hard to see who he could replace, higher in the list.
You know the current crop of wingers are good when Mika Sivo can’t crack the top ten.