forwards

NRL 2020 Power Rankings: Front-rowers 16-1NRL 2020 Power Rankings: Front-rowers 16-1NRL imagesWritten ByLIAM O'LOUGHLIN @ljoloughlinThe 2020 season is in the books, and what a weird year it was for rugby league off the back of the COVID-19 pandemic.Melbourne ran out eventual premiers in a grand final victory over the Panthers, who went 17 games unbeaten heading into the decider.Brisbane started strong but fell away after the COVID break and finished with the wooden spoon.The front-rowers across the NRL continued to shine, laying the platform for their outside men and racking up huge numbers. As we have done in previous years, we have come up with power rankings list of all the front-rowers in the NRL. It is a little different to positions with only one person (fullback, hooker etc.) - so we will rank them based on both players from the same club combined and how they performed. The criteria is that they must have played the most games for their club in that particular position, and the list is solely based on 2020 performances. Retiring or departing players are excluded from the list. Check out our 2020 front-rower power rankings below. NRL images#16 Dylan Napa/Ofahiki OgdenNapa:Not the best year for the firebrand. Averaged 116m and 29 tackles per game, but lacked the impact and intensity that he has shown in the past. Will need to step up again next year.Ogden:Limited opportunities in the starting lineup, but looked solid when given a chance. Averaged 77m and 16 tackles per game, but a lot of them came from the bench. Will be pushing for the starting role in 2021.NRL images#15 Josh Aloiai/Thomas MikaeleAloiai:Strong year for the 25-year old. Became the leader of the Tigers pack and was one of their best each week. Averaged 136m and 28 tackles per game, operating at 94% tackle efficiency. Also crossed for 4 tries.Mikaele:Looks a good young player but was in and out of the starting side. A real handful for opposition defence, making 25 tackle breaks and 650 post-contact metres for the season. Will struggle to get the starting spot in 2021 with James Tamou coming to the club.NRL images#14 Blake Lawrie/Paul VaughanLawrie:Solid year, and was one of the Dragons better players in 2020. Averaged 134m and 36 tackles per game, with very few misses. Proving to be a real workhorse for the Red V and will need to continue his form in 2021.Vaughan:A somewhat disappointing year givenhis lofty standards. Missed time through suspension and lacked the impact that earned him a NSW jumper in previous years. His numbers were still solid however, averaging 153m and 35 tackles per game.NRL images#13 Martin Taupau/Taniela PasekaTaupau:Another good year for the Manly enforcer. Hard to handle, with 54 tackle breaks, 35 offloads and 877 post-contact metres for the year. A massive threat with the ball, but also as solid as ever in defence with 95% tackle efficiency.Paseka:Listed here due to the departure of Addin Fonua-Blake. Managed to punch out quite a strong year despite spending a large chunk of it on the bench. Ran for 104m and made 20 tackles per game. His size is a huge bonus, and will need to stand up in 2021 with AFB gone across the ditch.NRL images#12 Josh McGuire/Jordan McLeanMcGuire:Not everyone's cup of tea, but continues to be one of the Cowboys' best despite poor results in recent years. Averaged 166m and 40 tackles per game - pretty elite numbers for a front-rower. 70 post-contact metres per game is also a serious stat, ranking in the top 15 across the NRL. How he missed out on a QLD Origin spot is beyond this writer.McLean:Solid year, but outshined by the likes of McGuire and Jason Taumalolo. Finished the year averaging 124m and 27 tackles per game. Can't really fault his efforts but lacks the same punch as some of his teammates in the middle.NRL images#11 Aaron Woods/Braden Hamlin-UeleWoods:A solid year for the veteran. Finished the year averaging 130m and 30 tackles per game. Not as impactful as he once was, but still gets through his work and was a part of a side that made the finals.Hamlin-Uele:Followed up from his breakout 2019 campaign with another solid year. Had 52 tackle breaks, 19 offloads and 6 tries during the season. His average numbers weren't breathtaking, but less is more with a player like Hamlin-Uele as he provides great impact with each carry. Does still have some issues in defence at times.NRL images#10 Moeaki Fotuaika/Jaimin JolliffeFotuaika:Brilliant year from the rising star. Finished the year with 40 tackle breaks and 1044 post-contact metres. Was one of the Titans best on a weekly basis, averaging 145m and 36 tackles per game. One of the best young players in the competition and was rewarded with an Origin debut for Queensland. Will only get better next year with some big-name acquisitions around him.Jolliffe:Essentially came from nowhere at the start of the year, and finished it as a big part of their side. Averaged 92m and 27 tackles per game. Split his time in both the starting side and off the bench, but did both roles well.NRL images#9 Payne Haas/Tom FleglerHaas:Continues to set the benchmark for front-rowers across the NRL, despite his side's struggles. Averaged a mammoth 175m and 44 tackles per game. Also finished the year with 61 tackle breaks, 25 offloads and 1369 post-contract metres - 8th in the entire competition. Earned a spot in the NSW Origin side after another big year.Flegler:Showed some promise throughout the year. Averaged 91m and 27 tackles per game, as well as 29 tackle breaks for the year. Some potential there, but nowhere near a standout performer just yet.NRL images#8 Tohu Harris/Jamayne Taunoa-BrownHarris:Did play a majority of the year on the edge, but with some departures at the club, he fits our criteria. Had his best year since leaving Melbourne, and perhaps a career-best year. Averaged 173m and 42 tackles per game, operating at 95% efficiency. Was named Dally M Second-Rower of the Year and led the Warriors through a tough year.Taunoa-Brown:Was an unknown heading into the season but proved to be a huge asset for the club. Numbers weren't massive - 95m and 27 tackles per game - but provided plenty of impact whether it was starting or off the bench. A real player to watch in the next few years.NRL images#7 Josh Papalii/Dunamis LuiPapalii:What can you say about this bloke - he's just a star. Arguably the best prop in the NRL today, Papalii averaged 148m and 31 tackles per game at an impressive 96% efficiency. Throw on top of that 44 tackle breaks, 24 offloads and 1208 post-contact metres (13th in the competition), and it was a huge season. Fell just short of another grand final appearance, and was named Dally M Prop of the Year.Lui:Flew under the radar, but finished the year with an Origin debut. Goes about his business with little fuss, averaging 91m and 23 tackles per game. Doesn't get much praise but a real consistent performer for the Green Machine.NRL images#6 Christian Welch/Jesse BromwichWelch:Another solid year. Not the flashiest player, but goes about his business and finished the year with a premiership ring and QLD Origin jumper. Averaged 124m per game and produced 35 offloads for the year in 19 games. Was one of their best during the finals series.Bromwich:The veteran just keeps doing the job. Led from the front for the Storm, averaging 112m and 25 tackles per game. Will always be in the top-half of these lists, such is his consistency at NRL level.NRL images#5 Tevita Tatola/Tom BurgessTatola:Breakout year for the Bunnies big man. Were big question marks over their pack before the season started, but he led from the front and silenced the doubters.Finished the year with 122m and 27 tackles per game, as well as 1067 post-contact metres for the year. Scored 3 tries and had 29 tackle breaks, and was unlucky to miss out ona spot in the NSW Origin squad.Burgess:Really stood up and showed his experience this year when his side needed it. Finished the year 3rd in the competition for post-contact metres with 1464, and averaged 146m and 27 tackles per game. Arguably his most consistent year in the NRL.NRL images#4 James Fisher-Harris/Moses LeotaFisher-Harris:One of the Panthers' unsung heroes throughout their brilliant season. Racked up ridiculous numbers, including the most runs (444), most post-contact metres (1534) and third-most total metres (4117) across the entire NRL. An absolutely outstanding yearand has now become one of the game's best front-rowers, proven by his selection as Dally M Prop of the Year.Leota:Only listed here due to James Tamou's departure, but did have a really good year. Despite featuring off the bench for most the season, still managed to average over 100m and 23 tackles per game. One of the realimproved players in the competition.NRL images#3 Sio Siua Taukeiaho/Jared Waerea-HargreavesTaukeiaho:Widely-regarded as one the best props in the game by both his peers and experts alike, and continues to prove why. Averaged 160m and 31 tackles per game, as well as finishing 4th for post-contact metres across the NRL with 1426. One of the Roosters best once again.Waerea-Hargreaves:His numbers aren't as high as his front-row partner, but JWH is all about the impact and intimidation. Averaged 135m and 32 tackles per game, as well as 16 offloads for the year. Still racked up 952 post-contact metres for the season as well.NRL images#2 David Klemmer/Daniel SaifitiKlemmer:Still one of the best props in the game - yet somehow missed out on NSW selection. Put up huge numbers all year, averaging 172m and 34 tackles per game. Also ranked 2nd in the NRL for post-contact metres and offloads. While he might not standout as much or have the same impact as someone like Josh Papalii or Payne Haas, Klemmer is still an elite prop and he proved that again this year.Saifiti:The rise continues for the NSW Origin star. Missed some time through injury, but when he was on the park he was really strong. Averaged 144m, 2 tackle breaks and 29 tackles per game, as well as bagging 3 tries. Has shown again in the Origin series that he is one of the game's class front-rowers.NRL images#1 Junior Paulo/Reagan Campbell-GillardPaulo:Career-best form saw him earn a NSW Origin debut. An absolute handful for opposition defence, with his ability to offload just as well as he runs. Finished the year with 54 offloads (most in the NRL) and 48 tackle breaks to go with his 155m per game. Also had 1336 post-contact metres, which had him 10th in the competition.Campbell-Gillard:Started the year really well, finding the form that first earned him rep honours at Penrith. Pushed out some big numbers, highlighted by his 164m per game. Also ranked in the top 10 across the NRL for post-contact metres. Dropped off slightly towards the end of the year, but hard to fault anything he did. Overall a really good year.

"Thanks for going through the effort putting this together, I to was there and already forgotten half of this.... probably too busy focusing on the party pies and spring rolls. One thing I did take away from this was that all 4 were on the same page…"

"I was just taking the piss mate. We have half the bible on our side, even got a Mohamed coming through
Great blog, totally readable, evocative and with a good vibe. Thanks"

Replies

shane November 16, 2020 at 7:13pm

I believe we have the forwards to win the comp, what we are lacking is a half that has good game management. Moses is 27 and still has not shown he is capable even though he wants to. Goes missing in the big games, poor kicking, always going to fullback or wingers. When playing eyes up football runs too much sideways running the outside players out of room. With the money he is on he should be performing better but keeps failing IMO.
This reply was deleted.
- Tad November 16, 2020 at 8:43pm
  
  haha Mick..get back to reading your telephone book mate.
  - This reply was deleted.
    - Tad November 16, 2020 at 9:11pm
      
      cheers
      - Sir Col "THE NODDY MUSHROOM" > Tad November 17, 2020 at 1:19pm
        
        WHAAAAAAAAAATT? Do you mean reading the dictionary is no longer cool?
        
        FMD.
        
        Tad > Sir Col "THE NODDY MUSHROOM" November 17, 2020 at 1:49pm
        
        Punctuation SirCol Punctuation. I have read it. But still struggle. I am starting the Chinese dictionary now. Much harder.
        
        Sir Col "THE NODDY MUSHROOM" > Tad November 17, 2020 at 2:23pm
        
        I was thinking more along the lines of Punchuation Tad.
        
        Tad > Sir Col "THE NODDY MUSHROOM" November 17, 2020 at 4:29pm
        
        You know my inglesh is not the best Sir Col I am getting comflatable with Chinese
        
        點
        
        Sir Col "THE NODDY MUSHROOM" > Tad November 17, 2020 at 6:23pm
        
        LOL - got me Tad, cannot think of a suitable comeback.
Electric Eel November 16, 2020 at 9:01pm

Sorry, lost me after the first two lines. Summry perhaps?
- Brett Allen > Electric Eel November 16, 2020 at 9:06pm
  
  Basically that Junior & RCG are the number one rated front row pair in the league

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This reply was deleted.

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