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Rugby league has had its fair share of red headed stars over the years. Here is a side choc full or red headed talent that would surely challenge any ‘best of’ side in the last 20 years.
Fullback: Kris Radlinski
Poor bloke had to be a Pom and a redhead but that’s not held against him here. One of few Englishmen, particularly in the backs, to improve his reputation at International level, Radlinski was always dependable.
Wing: Brett Dallas
First player picked in the Ranga All Stars. Brett Dallas was a part of a strong red headed contingent during the mid 90s at the North Sydney Bears and provides the side with try scoring ability.
Centre: Michael Buettner
Decorated career at the top level, ‘Buetts’ would have been the side’s five eighth if it weren’t for the obvious lack of quality out wide. More than capable of playing an integral role out wider though.
Centre: Jack Reed
The second Englishman in the side, Reed has at least proven himself at NRL level. Like all redheads he is tough and hardworking and with his career still ahead of him, he could go down in history as rugby league’s greatest red headed centre-three quarter
Wing: Joel Monaghan
What can you say about Joel Monaghan that hasn’t already been said? Multitalented!
Five eighth: Sean Rudder
Premiership winning five eighth at the Newcastle Knights, Rudder won’t have the luxury of the best seat in the house to the ‘A Johns’ show in this side. Can the bloke even play football? Who knows. Fanta pants All Stars need Rudder to be competitive
Halfback: Peter Wallace
Falls over the line without much competition, Wallace is a State of Origin representative that hasn’t ever really been the same since he suffered a dislocation in a particularly painful area.
Front Row: Keith Galloway
‘Big Keiffy’ is as soft as he is red, but his main competition for this spot was another noted powder puff in Brad Meyers, so Galloway gets the nod. John Hopoate is still serving a suspension for a hit on Galloway in 2005.
Hooker: Allan Tongue
Your stereotypical red head. Very little natural ability but a hard worker and 100% committed to whatever he came up against each week. A true competitor who laboured between lock and hooker, he has landed at 9 more out of necessity than anything else.
Front row: James Graham
It’s very rare that you pick of ‘best of’ rugby league side and include three Englishmen, but James Graham has shown his quality in his debut season with the Canterbury Bulldogs this year. Tough and uncompromising as you would expect, Graham has a bit of skill to go with his red locks.
Second row: Lance Thompson
Carried the flag for red heads in the late 1990’s and early 2000’s, Thompson is synonymous with the rugby league Ranga.
Second row: Gary Larson
Rounding out the North Sydney contingent is Gary Larson. Tough as teak and feared by many, Larson is another uncompromising red head not afraid to get his hands dirty
Lock: Paul Vautin (c)
Undisputed King of rugby league red heads is Paul ‘The Fat Man’ Vautin. Originally Nick Graham was pencilled in at lock but on discovering Vautin spent two largely fruitless years at Easts in the early 90’s, you simply couldn’t leave him out of the side.
It’s a tough ask to take out the ‘worst looking’ gong in a red headed side but Fatty manages to do it with the consummate ease with which he made tackle after tackle on the footy field.
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