1994 Regal Team v 2017 League Leaders

[Le Van]

Just listened to a podcast where Lee Crooks says that the 94 Regal side would just edge today's team cos they had a better pack.

Now I love both teams dearly but for the life of me I can't split the two.

Is Steady better than Zac, Kempy better than Benny or Lee better than Millo ?

I know that it is subjective and I've always said that the 94 team would reign supreme in summer rugby but I really can't decide......

[RonnieGibbs'forearm]

Steadman
Ellis
Blackmore
Webster
Eden
Kemp
Gale
Crooks
Mcshane
Millington
JSL
Moors
Nikau

Sampson
McMeeken
Milner
Roberts

[Mysterio]

In reality, 1994's side don't come close and it's unfair to compare anyway.

The skill set, mental toughness, focus, attention to detail and fitness of today's team would simply annihilate the 94 side.

Just MO.

That said, there were/ are still one or two technically superior players in the 94 team.

Crooks, on fitness alone, wouldnt get a look in. Ps. He's my favourite Cas player OAT

[RonnieGibbs'forearm]

In reality, 1994's side don't come close and it's unfair to compare anyway.

The skill set, mental toughness, focus, attention to detail and fitness of today's team would simply annihilate the 94 side.

Just MO.

That said, there were/ are still one or two technically superior players in the 94 team.

Crooks, on fitness alone, wouldnt get a look in. Ps. He's my favourite Cas player OAT

Agree. But if both were coached and prepared to the same standard, would you revise your opinion?

[TT Tiger]

Is it squad or just the day? Cos in the 94 game ketteridge was immense as was grant Anderson toughest call for me is hadaker vs stick? I can't chose between them.

[duke street 10]

Both are great sides. Of the 1994 side i'd say Blackmore,Kemp,Crooks & Nikau would make my starting 13,with Dean Sampson on the bench.

[tigerfeat]

If you make a adjustment for how 94 side might be today ellis blackmore crooks nikau maybe one or two more

[Shareholder]

I was brought up thinking the 69-70 squad was the best ever, and would never be equalled, but I realise that's it's unfair to compare teams from different eras. I think it's only fair to say they were the best in their day , as our team are in their best in their day.

[Tamworth Tiger]

I think Steadman and Hardacre are both World Class and both would be in any joint team of mine, either with Zak in the centres or Steadman at half back where he could have played at international level if he hadn't been competing against full time Wiganers like Edwards who don't forget, our part timers obliterated that day

[SuffolkTiger]

Just listened to a podcast where Lee Crooks says that the 94 Regal side would just edge today's team cos they had a better pack.

Now I love both teams dearly but for the life of me I can't split the two.

Is Steady better than Zac, Kempy better than Benny or Lee better than Millo ?

I know that it is subjective and I've always said that the 94 team would reign supreme in summer rugby but I really can't decide......

It's good fun to debate and compare the 2 eras but being factual about the topic isn't possible, in my opinion. As for many other supporters, both squads have brought me lots of pleasure.

Crooksy should have been sent off for his head butt on Newlove in the semi of the '94 Regal Trophy. Had he been, I think Bradford would have won and we probably wouldn't have comparison to make. There were also rumours of a pay dispute in the Wigan camp for that final which severely affected their performance. They were poor on the day.

The class of 2017 is a more rounded and consistent outfit. The '94 side relied heavily on a strong spine of Blackmore, Kemp, Ford, Crooks and Nikau.

Zak v Steady is an interesting one - especially the Featherstone connection. Two different styles but both game breakers - Zak gets my vote for his defensive qualities.

In many ways, if this squad lifts the trophy on Saturday then I think it gives this debate a clear conclusion.

[therailwayendisnigh]

I played with Steadman recently, and he's still got it.

[Tamworth Tiger]

Wow!

[RonnieGibbs'forearm]

I played with Steadman recently, and he's still got it.

Steadman was my absolute hero in that era.
Before him I was always in awe of Wardy, Beardmores, Rambo Ron and Joyner. But Steadman felt like having a superstar.

[therailwayendisnigh]

There were a few ex Cas in the team - Wayne Price who hasn't aged a day. Tony Marcant who is a lovely bloke. When Newlove and Lee Jackson walked in I thoug "I'm out of my depth here". It was a charity match at Knottingley Rugby Club. Steadman was my hero too, but I'm sorry to say that I didn't care for him much.

[drleftie]

No comparison, this team is head & shoulders above the 1994 side. How many of the Regal trophy winners were current internationals or would have got into a 1994 dream team? Not saying they weren't a great side but they didn't produce the goods week in week out like today's squad. I remember Smales playing out of his skin in that final but he wasn't the same class as we have today.

[Tamworth Tiger]

On reflection I agree. Although we stuffed Wigan twice that season the other time was against a makeshift side and we lost three key back end matches to them including a semi and a final. We had some great pplayers but it was nothing like as consistent as our current team and had some weaker links who would not make today's side
I still think the Regal win is arguably our best performance as a club though beating in mind Wigan was a team of full time internationals

[old cas lass]

There were a few ex Cas in the team - Wayne Price who hasn't aged a day. Tony Marcant who is a lovely bloke. When Newlove and Lee Jackson walked in I thoug "I'm out of my depth here". It was a charity match at Knottingley Rugby Club. Steadman was my hero too, but I'm sorry to say that I didn't care for him much.

Saw Wayne pryce in town yesterday, looks like he could still play.

[Tamworth Tiger]

There were a few ex Cas in the team - Wayne Price who hasn't aged a day. Tony Marcant who is a lovely bloke. When Newlove and Lee Jackson walked in I thoug "I'm out of my depth here". It was a charity match at Knottingley Rugby Club. Steadman was my hero too, but I'm sorry to say that I didn't care for him much.

Do yo mean when you met him? Sadly that is often the case with heroes!

[nottinghamtiger]

I'd have Blackmore and Nikau in our current team in a heartbeat. They were both ahead of their time with their fitness and general approach to the life of a professional athlete,
We should also remember the team of 1999. Whist they didn't make OT and didn't finish top of the league, that team won two play-off games, both away to teams who finished higher in the league (Leeds and Wigan). From that team I'd love to see Vowles, Fritz and Orr in our current squad.
If we lift the trophy on Saturday, this team will go down as the best we have ever had. However, with the current players all signed up for the future, I hope we are at the beginning of winning few years for the club. In the next three years, I'd like to see us win all the three trophies available. So far it's one down, one very close and one we need to aim for next season.

[therailwayendisnigh]

There were a few ex Cas in the team - Wayne Price who hasn't aged a day. Tony Marcant who is a lovely bloke. When Newlove and Lee Jackson walked in I thoug "I'm out of my depth here". It was a charity match at Knottingley Rugby Club. Steadman was my hero too, but I'm sorry to say that I didn't care for him much.

Saw Wayne pryce in town yesterday, looks like he could still play.

He can still play, he was brilliant.