Rugby Leading Second-Rowers

The Gold Coast Titans' Antony Laffranchi leads the way in any discussion about who is the world's best rugby league second-rower at present.

Laffranchi may have had his off-the-field troubles, but there is no doubt that when he pulls on a
Titans, Queensland or Australia shirt, he gives it his absolute all for the team.

Often the top tackler in a match, Laffranchi throws himself around the pitch for 80 minutes in a bid to bruise his side towards victory. He also possesses good hands, a thoughtful and intelligent rugby brain, and deserves to be regarded as number one.

Sam Thaiday is another whose name is right up there amongst the best. Thaiday may be only 23, but he has already proved his worth countless times to his NRL club side Brisbane Broncos, helping them to the 2006 Premiership.

In Super League, the two most outstanding second-rowers are St Helens' Jon Wilkin and Hull FC's Danny Tickle.

Wilkin is always willing to crash the ball forward into contact and do the unglamorous jobs, but he is also a highly versatile rugby player, having the ability to step in at stand-off from time to time if his side need to play him there.

Tickle is another who knows every trick in the book and is the genuine heartbeat of the Hull FC side leading from the front, scoring plenty of tries and creating even more for those around him.