The 20 Hardest Men to tackle in the NRL

What makes a player dangerous in attack?

Is it blistering speed combined with quick footwork, or playmaking vision & the hands to execute... Could it be the ability to carry helpless defenders up the field, or is it simply the ability to make players miss?

Today we'll be running through the Top 20 Tackle Breakers of the 2022 season.
Note that we're working off averages, and a player has to have played 6 or more games to qualify.

20th: Jesse Ramien (Cronulla Sharks)

Rampaging through 4.0 tackle breaks per game, Ramien is the first of 3 Sharks to appear in our top 20. Covering 118m/game, it wouldn't have been absurd to suggest that Ramien could have been in State of Origin contention, if not for his recent suspension.

19th: Ronaldo Mulitalo (Cronulla Sharks)

Boasting 8 tries across 10 games in 2022, Mulitalo has been putting on an offensive masterclass with 4.1 tackle busts per game. Ronaldo sits at the top of the Line Break rankings for 2022, with an insane 18 breaks in 10 games.

18th: David Nofoaluma (Wests Tigers)

In an appearance that shouldn't surprise anyone, Nofoaluma has been one of the leagues premier tackle busters since his 2013 debut. Nofoaluma never shies away from a tough carry, which has taken him to 4.3 tackle busts per game.

17th: Matt Dufty (Canterbury Bulldogs)

Making a controversial appearance, Dufty has been a human highlight reel across his 94 game career. It looks all but certain that Dufty will depart for the Super League, however his 4.3 busts per game across 12 appearances earn him a place on this list.

16th: Waqa Blake (Parramatta Eels)

Scraping in with 4.3 busts per game across 6 appearances, Waqa has discovered rampaging form on the wing for Parramatta. He'll be shifting back to centre with Sivo's return, where he'll be looking to continue to dominate.

15th: Reece Walsh (Vodafone Warriors)

In a challenging couple of years for the Warriors, one man who's effort you cannot fault is Reece Walsh. For a player so young, his willingness to step up when the team needs it is incredible. Walshy's blasted through 4.3 tackles per game in 2022.

14th: Justin Olam (Melbourne Storm)

The 28 year old Olam has been a wrecking ball in 2022, charging for 120m & 4.4 tackle busts per game on his way to 6 tries in 12 appearances. Beloved by PNG, Olam will be one of the stars to watch during the World Cup at the end of this season.

13th: Haumole Olakau'atu (Manly Sea Eagles)

Yesterday I wrote an article outlining why players like Olakau'atu may re-energise NSW's attack (link here), & today we're including him at 13th in our tackle bust list. Haumole is the only forward to appear in a top 20 dominated by outside backs, with 4.6 tackle busts per game.

12th: Selwyn Cobbo (Brisbane Broncos)

Fresh off his 20th birthday & State of Origin debut, Cobbo has blown away all expectations this year with 4.7 tackle busts per game. With a penchant for long range breaks & the speed to finish, Cobbo is tracking high on the try scorers list too, with 10 tries in 12 games.

11th: Dane Gagai (Newcastle Knights)

Gagai started the year on fire with games of 6 & 11 tackle busts to go with 199 & 163 metres gained. Things have cooled off slightly, however Gagai is still sitting pretty with 4.7 tackle busts per game.

10th: Kotoni Staggs (Brisbane Broncos)

Another Brisbane young gun, Staggs has been breaking tackles at will, with 4.8 busts per game. Coming off his long awaited Origin debut, Staggs will look to continue to set the NRL alight & rocket up this list.

 

9th: Taylan May (Penrith Panthers)

If you hadn't heard of Taylan May at the start of 2022, I would have forgiven you. With an unfortunate, early injury to Brian To'o, Taylan took his shot & made the left wing spot his, eventually beating out Charlie Staines. May has 4.8 tackle busts per game. May sits atop the try scorer rankings, with 12 tries in 11 games.

8th: Joseph Manu (Sydney Roosters)

Time & time again in 2022, Joseph Manu has put the Roosters on his back & carried them to victory. Fresh off a 288m & 14 tackle bust game against the Canberra Raiders, Manu's stats are particularly ridiculous when he plays at fullback. In 2022, the Kiwi is rolling with 5.1 busts per game.

7th: Josh Addo-Carr (Canterbury Bulldogs)

Having been snubbed from Origin, it could be easy to forget that The Fox is one of the most dangerous players in the league. Rocking 5.2 tackle busts per game, Addo-Carr has gone looking for the opportunity to create for the Bulldogs as a rare shining light for their attack. Adding playmakers like Kikau & Mahoney in 2023, The Fox should see more opportunities in this maturing Doggies side.

6th: Moses Suli (St George Dragons)

When the Dragons signed Moses Suli for $600,000/year, eyebrows across the league were rightly raised. However, having watched Suli, a significant amount of my skepticism has been replaced with excitement. Moses has rampaged through 5.2 tackle busts per game, and has been one of the most dangerous centres in the game.

5th: Cameron Munster (Melbourne Storm)

Wow! As a NSW fan who was at the ground for Game I, I can't praise Munster's 2022 form enough. The crafty number 6 has broken 5.2 tackles per game, through a combination of jinking runs, electric steps & downright insulting fends. Off contract at the end of this year, Munster has been linked to the Dolphins, Broncos, Bulldogs & a plethora of other teams.

4th: Jayden Campbell (Gold Coast Titans)

It's been a season of "what if" for Jayden Campbell & the Gold Coast Titans. Campbell missed time earlier in the season with a rib issue, & is now out for around 8 weeks with a hamstring tear. However, when he's been on the field, Campbell's form has been nothing short of dynamic with 5.3 busts per game. Less than a season into his NRL career, I can't wait to see how Campbell develops going forward.

3rd: Siosifa Talakai (Cronulla Sharks)

I honestly feel terrible for anyone who is tasked with stopping Talakai. Built like an industrial truck, with the speed of a winger & the hands of a half, Talakai has crunched out 5.4 tackle busts per game in 2022. It's been an absolute break out year for Talakai, highlighted by a 17 tackle bust game vs the Knights & a 2 try/3 try assist/262m run performance against the Sea Eagles.

Yeah no... I've got to include that highlight reel!

2nd: James Tedesco (Sydney Roosters)

The man who breaks tackles for fun, Tedesco has monstered this stat category over the last decade. Running in 6.5 tackle busts per game, it's little surprise that Teddy is unanimously considered one of the 5 best players in the NRL. Tedesco's form has been insane over the last 6 weeks, averaging 258m & 8.3 tackle busts, to go with a total of 7 tries & 8 line breaks. If the Roosters are going to switch it on down the stretch, it's likely to be due to the Teddy show.

1st: Greg Marzhew (Gold Coast Titans)

Surprised? Marzhew makes his long awaited return to first grade in round 14, and will look to build on his incredible 6.6 tackle busts per game across 9 appearances. With the creative Brimson shifting to fullback, expect to see Marzhew in space a tonne over the coming weeks. I've got my fingers crossed that the Titans see the light, & keep the rampaging Marzhew in the NRL side.

Is there anyone you feel should've been on the list? Anyone you think will rise up as the year goes on?

We'd love to hear from you!