My thoughts also on Hampshire

There as not been any halfbacks in S L half as good as toppo I saw him play Right is way in front of rocky as well

I like Ryan a lot is main attribute is is pace in which you cannot beat or defend against, But ryan to me is in a vicious circle as a player he need more experience to make them correct Crucial calls in a game when it's needed most and that doesn't come without years of playing at the top level so i hope he is staying, But if he want's to go then fair enough good luck to the lad and then we could look at someone like jackson hastings.





Up The Trin

That’s a big statement and it’s your opinion so fair enough, however I don’t agree with you.

Toppo was a good halfback but not the best of his own generation, many of his peers were as good or better such as John Holmes, John Joyner, Steve Hartley, John Woods, Ken Kelly, Tony Myler, Eric Hughes etc

In the more modern era Sean Long was a better player as was Iestyn Harris, Robbie Paul, Tommy Martyn, Danny McGuire etc and that’s just trying to stick to Stand Offs & excluding Scrum Half’s.

With no disrespect toward Toppo at all, I think people view him with rose tinted glasses because of his loyalty for 10 years or so. IMO the best and more deserving of Legendary status Stand Off I’ve seen in Trinity colours is Harold Poynton.

I can't believe you have just said Tommy Martyn and Danny McGuire were better than David Topliss.

It's OK to list some of those players who played in DTs era as great players but Eric Hughes was a centre who moved to stand off, Tony Myler played when Topliss was getting old so a poor comparison, Steve Hartley was all about his speed and not creative and in fact wasn't even the best half back at his own club as he played alongside Roger Millward, John Holmes is a legend at Leeds and a truly great stand off but as much for his longevity just like you say Topliss is. Woods had skills there is no doubt but just not as good as the others in my opinion. Joyner was also a centre at his best.

Harold Poynton was an absolute great but played in such a different era it is really hard to compare.

But as the point was about Hampshire, I like him a lot, but as a half back, Topliss and Wright were considerably better. Rocky has lots of potential and time to improve to be able to catch them up.

Tommy Martin and Danny McGuire and Poynton aso well as the other stand-offs mentioned all played in teams with great players round them eg Burrows etc .Torppo was in a good Wakefield team but not great players round him.Toppo played for G B about twice against Australia at Wembley he run rings round them .He played in Ozz for one season at a unfashionable club got them into the top 8 and think they got to the final. Got to say hope Rocky stays, but if not wish him all the best but think there's a few players I would keep before Rock8

I don't know how old you are avenger but I am of an age that was lucky enough to watch toppo throughout his career. IMHO he was definitely the best stand off of his generation. Every away ground we went to wanted to know if he was playing they were petrified of him. The only season I can remember not being consistently great was the year after he went to Australia. The lad had everything and he was lightening over 30 yards.

It was not just his speed over 30 yards he could run at full pelt while is body was tilted .Kevin Harkin who played with him at Hull told me he tried to show a three quarters lineof New Zeland international how to do it and they kept falling over

I agree 100%, wotsup. The natural successor to his mentor Harold Poynton. I've not seen a SO like him since. Our loss was very much Hull's gain; even in Toppo's advancing years. Rocky, whilst a very able stand off, not in the same league as Toppliss

I was lucky enough to see both Poynton and Toppo play. Toppo's speed and acceleration was amazing.

Think this thread has been de railed some what. The talk of Alex walker next year coming to trin is a good option if Ryan thinks he's worth a bit more than wakey are prepared to pay

If Ryans signed already and the club will announce at some time all well and good. If however hes on his way out and found a club to offer him a regular spot good luck. Its not just a matter of going to another club it playing reg in a set position . Im not sure any SL club can offer him that.
The club must know his intentions and if hes refused to sign for what ever reason replace him in the squad. We have cover at FB with B R and BJB .

As I said earlier, a lot of rose tinted memories of Toppo, I watched him throughout his career as many of you say you did. I’m not in any way saying he wasn’t a very good player because he was but Trinity fans often go over the top about his ability.

Totally disagree that he was just "a very good player". IMO he was world class but we are all entitled to our own view

You are on your own Avenger.

I accept he's not the greatest ever, but he's so much better than most of the ones you name you must be trying to make some point I don't understand.

Let's put it this way - if Hampshire was Toppo I would be absolutely gutted that he hadn't re-signed by now. If Hampshire doesn't I will be disappointed.

I saw Poynton play & Topliss, players the calibre of these two were born with natural ability, they also learns d & honed their skills to reach their peak as a complete player. Poynton was lucky he played with more/better players
Around him. What people forget is that poynton put a lot of time into topless to make him a better player.
Now then, follies wanted to go to Aus, so he went at the end of the englis h season, played in the Aus season & came back 4 games into our winter season. Both Aussie teams he played for wanted to keep him & made offers pre 1979 ! He stayed loyal to Wakefield & his promise to return each time ! The then Aussie press & NRL. Could not understand this, in his seasons their which is well documented, they said he played the best 5-8ths seen in Australia his handling skills, speed & creativity was not available in other Aussie players at that time !! All facts, I do accept Avengers opinion but it is not factual but then that's why we have a forum.
Watch the Hull CC replay & see his scrum scissors move which he scored against reg Bowden & Eric Hughes he totally fooled them until it was too late & by that age/time he was slowing up ! This was toppo at his best.
When he did retire, Hull struggled, used Fred Achoi but he could not do what Toppo could, knocker Norton & the club owner + coach said they never replaced Topliss with a like player, the problem is at that time they couldn't get one/ the same quality, they don't grow on trees !

Anyone would think I’d said he was a terrible player
IMO he wasn’t World Class, his only International recognition came as a late call up and after the 1982 Kangaroos had rubbished everyone else in the first 2 Tests. Had he been World Class he’d have been a regular International player for a long period of time.




Well, I may be on her but I’m certainly not on my own as. Trinity supporter, remembering that this forum is a tiny percentage of the actual fan base, there are plenty that rate Topliss but don’t go over the top.

His guest appearances in the ARLs Winfield Cup came at a time when many British players went to Aus and did well. The Ausie game hadn’t evolved at that time and British players were as goos as most they had out there

Get your facts right Avenger. Topliss played 4 times for GB, twice for England and 15 times for Yorkshire. The consensus of opinion amongst knowledgeable RL people such as Peter Fox is that he was very unfortunate to be overlooked , and lesser players selected at stand off.

David Topliss is one of the main reasons why I started to follow Trinity and started playing rugby in the 1970s as a young lad. He was absolute class and had he had better players around him or played for a more successful team then he'd have got more international honours I'm sure.

I’ve got my facts right thank you and I didn’t have to Wikipedia his name to do it.

He played 4 times for GB in a career that spanned what, 20 years or so?

As I said, I rated Toppo but he wasn’t World Class IMO, he was a very good player who for the most part stuck with his hometown club and showed some loyalty.

The rose tinted brigade on here needn’t get precious about him because I’m not in any way disrespecting how good he actually was.

Actually I think you are very much disrespecting how good he actually was.

At the risk of being pedantic Avenger you inferred Topliss only represented GB once.Knew that was incorrect and yes checked. So what!
I too watched Poynton throughout his career and he also did not gain the ‘caps’ he should have. Two great players. Different in style ,both of whom , in my opinion , were world class.

Well you’re entitled to your opinion as am I, but you’re wrong there’s no disrespect in anything I’m saying.

Look back and you’ll see the only thing I’ve said is 5hat he wasn’t World Class but was a very good player.

Not good enough for those who disagree to just disagree though is it, there has to be an element of anger as well?