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Sunday, 1 July, 2001, 18:06 GMT 19:06 UK
Is Martin Offiah one of the greats?
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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?
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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...
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.
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?
500 tries is not a joke in modern-day rugby and for him to achieve that puts him as one of the greats.
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.
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.
One of the greatest finishers of all time.
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.
He is not an all-time great. All-time greats can do more than just score tries, and that's all Martin can do.
Martin is a legend, a living legend. But as soon as he retires, he will become a forgotten hero.
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