The A to Z of the NRL – F is for the Best Rugby League Facial Hair

April 12, 2020

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The A to Z of the NRL continues, and in tribute to all the Coronavirus lockdown isolation beards growing around Australia, F is for the best Rugby League Facial Hair.

With designer stubble and beards becoming more of the norm these days, our look at the best Rugby League Facial Hair does tend to favour the more distinctive moustaches of the 1980s, but does include some of the very best of the modern game.

Who has rugby league’s best facial hair? Read our list below and make your vote count in the ultimate Best Rugby League Facial Hair poll below.

KEVIN HARDWICK

The former Balmain Tiger will surely be back for our Best Ever Hair edition of the A to Z of the NRL, but his hair and facial hair combo is a great place to start for the letter F.

Looks like: Wild Bill Hickok from Deadwood TV Series.

NOEL CLEAL

Big and bushy, just the way any beard should be, his rugged facial hair matched his tough, rugged play. And bonus points for his dedication to the beard he still sports today.

Looks like: the drummer Doug Clifford from Creedence Clearwater Revival.

ERIC GROTHE SNR

It’s nowhere near as bushy as some of the era, but there’s still plenty to like about the former Eel’s well-manicured beard. The extra-long hair at the back did help to have a classic ‘80s look.

Looks like: Eric Grothe Jnr.

JOHN RIBOT

The rugby league administrator guru John Ribot was a decent player on the field, and an even bigger success off the field, as one of the architects of Super League. Talking about super, his upper lip was filled with the bushiest moustache in his playing days.

Looks like: standard issue facial hair for 1980s detectives.

WALLY LEWIS

Not bushy by any stretch of the imagination, but Wally Lewis’ moustache was certainly impressive none the less. It’s almost regal, which goes nicely with his ‘Emperor of Lang Park’ tag. Again, bonus points for dedication to facial hair, which continues to pop up on nightly news and Channel Nein broadcasts.

Looks like: Royalty.

BRETT KENNY

Like 80s representative footy, Kenny goes hand-in-hand with Wally Lewis, and it is hard to argue whose facial hair is the better of the two.

Looks like: a little bit of Liverpool’s Ian Rush there.

CLIFF LYONS

More great five-eighths and more great facial hair, and while Manly’s Cliff Lyons may be behind in the pecking order of greatness behind Lewis and Kenny, you could argue he bettered their moustaches.

Looks like: Some Lionel Richie in there.

SAM BACKO

With a nickname like Slammin’ Sam, who are we to argue about how great the former Queensland Origin prop’s facial hair was? He still sports it to this day as well.

Looks like: someone not to mess with.

SMOKIN’ JOE KILROY

A big name in the Brisbane rugby league scene, Kilroy had a brief run with Broncos and the Queensland State of Origin team, and impressed with his speed and try scoring. And a magnificent mo.

Looks like: Hightower from Police Academy.

KIRK REYNOLDSON

A man who has already made our Cult Hero list, and mainly because of his outstanding bushranger facial hair.

Looks like: Ned Kelly.

SEMI RADRADRA

Semi Radradra’s speed is amazing given the hefty facial hair that surely should have slowed him down. There’s a lot of beards in today’s game, but few were as impressive as Semi’s bush.

Looks like: Semi.

REAGAN CAMPBELL-GILLARD