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Sunday, 1 July, 2001, 18:06 GMT 19:06 UK
Is Martin Offiah one of the greats?
Is Martin Offiah a rugby league legend?
Martin 'Chariots' Offiah officially reached the magic 500 career try figure with his brace against the London Broncos.

How do you think he rates in the rugby league hall of fame?

HAVE YOUR SAY


Martin Offiah's list of achievements in his 14 seasons in the game are enough to impress anybody:

33 caps and 26 tries for Great Britain, five tries in eight appearances for England; and a huge collection of all the medals club rugby league can offer.

He now lies third in the all-time list of League try-scorers, behind legends Brian Bevan and Billy Boston.

Do Offiah's exploits in the modern game surpass those of his predecessors?

He has hinted at retirement at the end of this season, how would you assess his contribution to British rugby league?

Give us your verdict on Martin's career

HAVE YOUR SAY



He never had the game brain of Murphy, Hanley or the power of Boston
  Mark Ferguson, England
One of the most prolific tryscorers of our time but certainly not in the top 100. As a rugby player he never had the game brain of Murphy, Hanley or the power of Boston.
Mark Ferguson, Wigan,England

Martin is a legend and that cannot be doubted. I had the pleasure of playing two games with him for London Broncos A at the end of his time at London. You could feel him ouzing class. Rugby league involves 13 positions and he the master of one of those positions. Just because he is not a six or seven does not mean he can't be a legend.
Matt, Englang

One of the few players to transcend the game. People would watch League just to see him play. The lack of characters who can convert people to the game is to rugby league's detriment. He's a legend and should be knighted for services to the game.
Esmond Brown, England

I think we should remember that Offiah's achievement was gained in what is easily the hardest team sport in the world. For that alone he deserves huge credit. People can argue that his defence may have been suspect at times, but remember that many of his 500 tries have been scored in internationals and Australian club matches, where only the best can survive. If his defence had been so weak, he would not have kept his place in the side. Simple as that. Offiah is a living legend and a true ambassador for the sport.
James Fisher, England

Martin is a great player who can turn a game around in a flash. When he was at Widnes he was the fastest player the game had ever seen.
Phil, England


I am amazed that people fail to recognise the ability of scoring tries as a talent in its own right
  Louise, UK
I find it quite amazing that people fail to recognise the ability of scoring tries as a talent in its own right. All the other 'greats' scored tries, so why should Offiah's achievement's be derided? Just accept that whatever team he plays for - he scores tries, and that means that after 14 years, he can still run pretty fast!
Louise, UK

Not only was Offiah the best finisher of a generation, he raised the profile of League on a national level during the' Wigan era'. He was prolific at all levels of football he played, a champion. We cannot compare him to his predecessors as they were semi-pros, but, still, Offiah is one of the greatest wingers of all time.
Stu, UK

What do you mean 'is he one of the greats?' Of course he is. If Offiah isn't one of the best wingers the rugby world has ever seen then I don't know who is...
Kevin Fitzpatrick, England

I had the privilege to see him several times playing at the Premiership finals at Old Trafford. He was and still is a very classy act to follow. A fine athlete and poetry in motion with the ball.
Derek,ex-pat, Brazil


Where is the game going if we can't honour the very people we turn up week in, week out to watch and be entertained by?
  Alex Lokosu, UK
You cannot say that Offiah isn't a legend. Granted he doesn't have all-round skills, but Martin has won so many games with demonstrations of individual try-scoring brilliance. Are some of the great forwards of our game (the Kevin Wards, the Lee Crooks) not worthy because they are not good kickers or try scorers?

Offiah scores tries, and lots of them, which is strangely enough the aim of the game. The manner in which he scores them is a unique skill, the likes of which will be remembered for years to come and rarely matched again.

This surely puts Offiah where he belongs. A great servant to many clubs, his country and the game in general. Where is the game going if we can't honour the very people we turn up week in, week out to watch and be entertained by?
Chris Norris, England

500 tries is not a joke in modern-day rugby and for him to achieve that puts him as one of the greats.
Alex Lokosu, UK

I watched Martin's first game at Widnes and there was an audible rise in the interest level whenever Martin got the ball. He's entertained for 14 years too! There's a trait that the British have to slag off their own 'heroes' but Martin should be judged on his record in the modern game. That will speak for itself in years to come. Well done Martin and good luck in whatever you decide to do in the future. Thanks for the enjoyment you've given to a non-partisan rugby league fan.
Alun, UK

If I can be critical, I hope you are refering to your own countrymen because I can give a couple of names, like Eric Groathe and Ken Irvine for example.
Peter, Australia

One of the greatest finishers of all time.
J, UK


Scoring 500 tries is no mean feat
  Kenneth, England
Scoring 500 tries is no mean feat, but he did a lot of this in a Wigan team that was far superior to all others of the time. All he had to do was run them in. When it came to defence and other aspects of the game, he won't be remebered for that.
Kenneth, England

With a record of 500 tries, including some real crackers, he has to be remembered as a successful try-scorer.

But was he an all-round footballer, who could defend, cover, kick well, read a game? Perhaps not the complete rugby player.
Howard, Singapore

He is not an all-time great. All-time greats can do more than just score tries, and that's all Martin can do.
Sharon, England

Martin is a legend, a living legend. But as soon as he retires, he will become a forgotten hero.
Mystic Meg, Canada

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