Leeds Rhinos’ Luke Gale reveals his personal Super League dream team
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I’ve done it a little bit differently.
Rather than picking who I think is the greatest to play in each position, I have picked the best 17 from people I have played with and I have gone with people who have had a big effect on my career.
Some of them are self-explanatory, but I’ve given my reasoning and I think it’s a pretty good side.
Full-back: Luke Dorn.
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Hide AdThis was a choice between Zak Hardaker and Dorny and it was tough to pick between the two.
Dorny was class at Castleford, but the reason I have gone for him is because he had a massive influence on the early part of my career at London.
I came through with him down there and he had a big impact on my career, but that was a hard one.
Left-wing: Denny Solomona.
That explains itself, really.
He was phenomenal in 2016, scoring 42 tries in 29 games.
Left-centre: Michael Shenton.
He was another massive influence on my career when I got to Castleford.
He really helped me get to the next level.
Right-centre: Kallum Watkins.
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Hide AdI played with Kal for England and he was absolutely fantastic during the 2017 World Cup – the best centre in the game at the time, in my opinion.
Right-wing: Ryan Hall.
Someone else I only played against at club level, but with for England.
His tryscoring record for England is amazing, something like 38 tries in 36 games, which is an unbelievable effort.
Stand-off: Ben Roberts.
This was a tricky one, but I wanted to go for someone who helped my job.
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Hide AdIn 2017 especially he made it easy for me because, if I wasn’t on, Benny Roberts would take it.
He was so good at that, I think he had his best season that year which helped us finish top.
He probably played an underrated part in that, but I saw close up how good he is.
Scrum-half: I haven’t really played with any other scrum-halfs, so I’ll pick myself!
Prop: Sam Burgess.
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Hide AdHe was a leader, it was unbelievable going into a Test with him – he brings so much passion.
Hooker: Paul McShane.
I’ve played with some really good hookers.
But Macca knows my game inside out and, when we played together, he made me look good.
Prop: James Graham.
A bit like Sam, brings so much passion to the side.
Second-row: Oliver Holmes.
Honestly, Oggy would be the first name on my teamsheet.
That might surprise a few people, he doesn’t get in many dream teams, but he is massively underrated.
I played left-edge with him and he is probably the best defender I have ever played with – barring none.
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Hide AdHe’s an easy choice, because he made all my tackles for four years.
That’s why he’s getting in.
Second-row: Elliott Whitehead.
He is one of my best pals. I came through with him at Bradford.
And, to see how he has gone on and the impact he has made in the game in Australia, is unbelievable.
Loose-forward: John Bateman.
Another one where I had to choose between two players.
Adz Milner will kill me, but I’ve gone for John Bateman. I have played a few games for England with him and I saw him come through from a young age at Bradford.
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Hide AdHe will be one of the best Englishmen ever to go over and play Australia to play, in my opinion.
Subs: Zak Hardaker, Adam Milner, Grant Millington, Jake Trueman.
Zak was unbelievable when I played with him. Adz is a real tough player and I don’t want him to kill me for leaving him out.
Millo doesn’t get the credit he deserves – he is one of the greatest overseas signings, especially for Castleford.
If the game’s close and you want someone to come on and create a bit of magic, young Truey’s your man. He’s a great player already and will only get better.
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