Old but gold: Top 10 oldest players currently in Super League
As we are just over half way through the 23rd season of Super League rugby, we take a look at the top 10 oldest players still playing at the top level.
Ben Westwood – aged 36
The oldest player that is still making appearances each and every week in Super League is Warrington Wolves forward Ben Westwood. Currently aged 36, Westwood will turn 37 in July, but since new Wolves head coach Steve Price took charge Super League’s oldest player seems to be re-energised.
However, the former England international will see his Warrington contract expire in November of this year. Westwood has made it clear that he would not wish to play for another Super League club because he does not want to play against the club he has served for 16 years and made over 400 appearances for.
Jamie Jones-Buchanan – aged 36
Just a week younger than Westwood with his birthday in August, Jamie-Jones Buchanan is the second oldest player in Super League. Having played for Leeds since 1999, the Yorkshire born forward is another that has made over 400 appearances for his club.
Buchanan signed for Leeds at just 15 years old and has gone on to win six Super League championships, three World Club Challenges, three League Leaders’ Shields and one Challenge Cup.
Mark Minichiello – aged 36
Having only turned 36 in January of this year, Hull FC second row Mark Minichiello is the third oldest player to still be playing at the top of his game. The Australian born forward has never actually represented the kangaroos, but has instead represented Italy on numerous occasions including the 2017 World Cup.
Minichiello has played over 100 games for Hull FC since joining in 2015 on a two-year deal which was then extended in January 2016 until the end of this season. However, the Aussie has expressed his commitment to continuing his playing career at Hull but a deal is yet to be agreed.
Aaron Heremaia – aged 35
A name that not everyone may have been expecting to appear so high on this list is former Hull FC and current Widnes Vikings hooker Aaron Heremaia. Despite being born in New Zealand the 35-year old began his rugby league career at Leigh Centurions in 2006, he became a Super League player in 2012 after signing for Hull FC with a spell back home in New Zealand in between.
Heremaia has served Widnes longer than any other club in his career, currently on over 80 appearances after joining in 2015. The Kiwi international, who will turn 36 in September, has only represented his country on the one occasion after being selected for the 2010 Anzac Test match against Australia.
Sean O’Loughlin – aged 35
Wigan Warriors captain Sean O’Loughlin is half way down this list as the fifth oldest player in Super League, he will turn 36 in November. The English loose forward has improved with age and is now considered one of the most skilled forwards in the game as well as a vital player for the Warriors.
O’Loughlin made his first team debut for Wigan in 2002 and has captained his side since 2006, he is another player who has made over 400 club appearances. Following in the footsteps of his brother-in-law Andy Farrell, O’Loughlin has not only captained his club but also his country.
Danny McGuire – aged 35
Just 12 days younger than O’Loughin is Leeds Rhinos legend and now Hull KR stand-off Danny McGuire. The 35-year old scored over 1000 points during his 16 years at Leeds where he won eight Super League championships and two Challenge Cups as well as becoming the first player to score over 200 Super League tries.
McGuire moved to Hull KR ahead of this season on a two-year deal but he has only made around 10 appearances for his new side so far with them currently sitting second to bottom in the league table.
Danny Brough – aged 35
The second of the three Danny’s on this list is Huddersfield playmaker Danny Brough who has also previously played for Hull FC, Castleford Tigers and Wakefield Trinity Wildcats. The Scottish international joined Huddersfield in 2010, was named captain in 2012 after the departure of Kevin Brown and won Super League’s Man of Steel award in 2013.
Brough’s impressive 2012/13 season led to him being awarded the Scottish captaincy for the 2013 World Cup. The Yorkshire athlete turned 35 in January putting him seventh in the list of oldest Super League players.
Danny Tickle – aged 35
A man who has played for more clubs in English rugby league than Brough is 35-year old Danny Tickle. Although currently playing for Hull KR in Super League, the forward has also played for six other clubs across both the Championship and Super League.
Those clubs include Halifax, Wigan Warriors, Hull FC, Widnes, Castleford and Leigh Centurions. Tickle has racked up almost 500 club appearances with just the one international appearance, playing for England in 2012.
Kirk Yeaman – aged 34
Another one club player on this list is Hull FC’s Kirk Yeaman, who is now back playing in Super League after coming out of retirement to help out his side. Turning 35 in September, Yeaman has since admitted that he may have retired too early and he had no hesitation when the call came from Lee Radford.
The Hull centre has scored over 700 points for the club which made him just the second ever player in Hull FC’s history to score 700 points without kicking a single goal. The 34-year old won two Challenge Cups and represented both Great Britain and England during his first stint at Hull.
Jake Webster – aged 34
A player in a similar position to Yeaman on the field as well as in age is Castleford centre Jake Webster. The New Zealand international is around a month and a half younger which makes him the final entry on this top ten list.
It may surprise some that Webster makes the list of oldest players in Super League with the Castleford player still putting in superb performances at the top level. The Kiwi began his playing career at Melbourne Storm and after a short spell at the Gold Coast Titans, Webster moved to England where he has since played for Hull KR, Castleford Tigers and also had a single appearance for York City Knights.
