Many people have often wondered about the value of the Holden Cup and whether it serves as a genuine pathway for young, budding rugby league players to make the next step into first-grade. Blessed with rich talent and admittedly, players that failed to cut the mustard, just which teams have been the most successful in procuring talent to take that next step?
Here at NRL News, we love stats and everything they represent, so we thought we would cast our eye over this very question and assess which teams have enjoyed the most success when it comes to blooding youngsters from their Holden Cup ranks into first-grade.
Just note, this has nothing to do with juniors or where a player played their junior footy. There will be crossover for some players as they played for more than one side during the recent years of Holden Cup and those players that have played for more than one side have been included within both teams and the overall percentage.
We have tried to ensure that this is as accurate as possible but if you notice any player missing from any side that should be there, please, let us know, and we can amend that swiftly and accordingly.
So, without further adieu, here are the percentage and success rates of all 16 NRL teams when it comes to the successful promotion and transition of their Holden Cup players in order of the highest percentage and thus success rate:
New Zealand Warriors
Total number & percentage: 53/192 at 27.6%.
List of players to have played first-grade: Brad Abbey, Bunty Afoa, Leeson Ah Mau, Patrick Ah Van, David Bhana, Erin Clark, Sonny Fai, Raymond Faitala-Mariner, Sosaia Feki, Glen Fisiiahi, David Fusitu’a, James Gavet, Charlie Gubb, Siliva Havili, Adam Henry, Peta Hiku, Konrad Hurrell, Sebastine Ikahihifo, Mark Ioane, Isaac John, Shaun Johnson, Solomone Kata, Ngani Laumape, Siuatonga Likiliki, Mason Lino, Sam Lisone, Kevin Locke, Tuimoala Lolohea, Sam Lousi, Sione Lousi, Alehana Mara, Ben Matulino, Ken Maumalo, Constantine Mika, Nathaniel Neale, Agnatius Paasi, Russell Packer, John Palavi, Abraham Papalii, Isaiah Papalii, Nathaniel Peteru, Steve Rapira, Nathaniel Roache, Ligi Sao, Nafe Seluini, Toafofoa Sipley, Omar Slaimankhel, Sio Siua Taukeiaho, Elijah Taylor, Jazz Tevaga, Carlos Tuimavave, Bill Tupou & Albert Vete.
The total number of first-grade games: 2082 games.
Total Origin appearances: 0.
Total international appearances: 128 – New Zealand: 82, Tonga: 25, Samoa: 17 & Cook Islands: 4.
Brisbane Broncos
Total number & percentage: 45/165 at 27.27%.
List of players to have played first-grade: Daniel Alvaro, Tyson Andrews, Jai Arrow, Kurt Baptiste, Gerard Beale, Caleb Binge, Kurt Capewell, Dale Copley, Cameron Cullen, Mitchell Dodds, Jordan Drew, Mitchell Frei, Dane Gagai, Brendon Gibb, Matt Gillett, Alex Glenn, Jake Granville, David Hala, Josh Hoffman, Ben Hunt, Jordan Kahu, Danny Levi, Dunamis Lui, Lachlan Maranta, Andrew McCullough, Josh McGuire, Francis Molo, Jayden Nikorima, Kodi Nikorima, Corey Norman, Corey Oates, Joe Ofahengaue, Tom Opacic, Tevita Pangai Jr., Jonas Pearson, Mitch Rivett, Korbin Sims, Tariq Sims, Michael Spence, Jaydn Su’A, Ash Taylor, Jarrod Wallace, Aaron Whitchurch & Jharal Yow Yeh.
The total number of first-grade games: 2627.
The total number of Origin appearances: Queensland: 27.
Total international appearances: 66 – New Zealand: 39, Fiji: 10, Australia: 10, Samoa: 5, Tonga: 1 & Cook Islands: 1.
Wests Tigers
Total number & percentage: 50/205 at 24.4%.
List of players to have played first-grade: Mitch Achurch, Sitaleki Akauola, Neccrom Areaiiti, Blake Ayshford, Luke Brooks, Nathan Brown, Manaia Cherrington, Simon Dwyer, JJ Felise, Andrew Fifita, David Fifita, Asipeli Fine, Matt Groat, Delouise Hoeter, Justin Hunt, Marika Koroibete, Blake Lazarus, Leva Li, Jacob Liddle, Lamar Liolevave, Isaac Liu, Matt Lodge, Kyle Lovett, Joel Luani, Robert Lui, Te Maire Martin, Willie Mataka, Jacob Miller, Nathan Milone, Tim Moltzen, Mitch Moses, Jake Mullaney, Ben Murdoch-Masila, David Nofoaluma, Moses Pangai, Pat Politoni, Leivaha Pulu, Junior Roqica, Kurtis Rowe, Matt Ryan, Brenden Santi, Jason Schirnack, Tim Simona, Curtis Sironen, Shaun Spence, Sauaso Sue, Moses Suli, Peni Tagive, James Tedesco & Aaron Woods.
The total number of first-grade games: 1827.
The total number of Origin appearances: NSW: 19.
The total number of international appearances: 72 – Samoa: 19, Australia: 15, Tonga: 13, Fiji: 13, Italy: 6, United States: 4, Cook Islands: 1 & New Zealand: 1.
Sydney Roosters
Total number & percentage: 46/199 at 23.12%.
List of players to have played first-grade: Rohan Ahern, John Asiata, Cheyse Blair, Sam Brunton, Nat Butcher, Kurt Capewell, Anthony Cherrington, Boyd Cordner, Tyler Cornish, Sandor Earl, Brendan Elliott, Kane Evans, Asipeli Fine, Brendan Frei, Jake Friend, Grant Garvey, Josh Graham, David Hala, Jackson Hastings, Ryley Jacks, Ben Jones, Martin Kennedy, Mark Kheirallah, Samisoni Langi, Joey Leilua, Vincent Leuluai, Jack Littlejohn, Isaac Liu, Ethan Lowe, Nene Macdonald, Joseph Manu, Mose Masoe, Willis Meehan, Taane Milne, Latrell Mitchell, Tautau Moga, Dylan Napa, Jayden Nikorima, Dominique Peyroux, Curtis Rona, Tom Symonds, James Tamou, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Stanley Waqa, Connor Watson & Antonio Winterstein.
The total number of first-grade games: 2158
The total number of Origin appearances: NSW: 20.
The total number of international appearances: 85 – Samoa: 32, Australia: 14, New Zealand: 11, Cook Islands: 8, Fiji: 7, Tonga: 6, Papua New Guinea: 5 & Canada: 2.
Canberra Raiders
Total number & percentage: 37/168 at 22.02%.
List of players to have played first-grade: Matt Allwood, Mitch Barnett, Luke Bateman, Shannon Boyd, Morgan Boyle, Justin Carney, Michael Chee-Kam, Mitch Cornish, Nick Cotric, Jarrod Croker, Lachlan Croker, Josh Dugan, Shaun Fensom, Matt Frawley, Jeremy Hawkins, Jarrad Kennedy, Brenko Lee, Edrick Lee, Drury Low, Nathan Massey, Sam Mataora, Matt McIlwrick, Anthony Milford, Steven Naughton, Mark Nicholls, Tevita Pangai, Josh Papalii, Michael Picker, Sami Sauiluma, Nick Skinner, James Stuart, Joel Thompson, Paul Vaughan, Daniel Vidot, Travis Waddell, Jack Wighton & Sam Williams.
The total number of first-grade games: 1738.
The total number of Origin appearances: NSW: 9 & QLD: 6.
The total number of international appearances: 40 – Australia: 19, Samoa: 13, Cook Islands: 4, Italy: 3 & Scotland: 1.
Parramatta Eels
Total number & percentage: 41/187 at 21.9%.
List of players to have played first-grade: Mitch Allgood, Josh Aloiai, Daniel Alvaro, Jason Baitieri, Rory Brien, Nathan Davis, John Folau, Bevan French, Jacob Gagan, Nathan Gardner, Trent Hodkinson, Justin Hunt, Tui Kamikamica, Kris Keating, Albert Kelly, Taniela Lasalo, Leva Li, Jacob Loko, Jon Mannah, Tim Mannah, Ryan Matterson, Anthony Mitchell, Tepai Moeroa, Ryan Morgan, Daniel Mortimer, Pat O’Hanlon, Pauli Pauli, Junior Paulo, Kaysa Pritchard, Semi Radradra, Tim Robinson, Ava Seumanufagai, Ken Sio, Reimis Smith, Kelepi Tanginoa, Jorge Taufua, Taulima Tautai, Peni Terepo, Vai Toutai, Daniel Tupou & Joseph Ualesi.
The total number of first-grade games: 1958.
The total number of Origin appearances: NSW: 10.
The total number of international appearances: 32 – Tonga: 11, France: 10, Fiji: 5, Samoa: 4 & Australia: 2.
Newcastle Knights
Total number & percentage: 39/192 at 20.31%.
List of players to have played first-grade: Josh Ailaomai, Sam Anderson, Joe Boyce, Adam Clydsdale, Jack Cogger, Cory Denniss, Joel Edwards, Kalifa Fai Fai Loa, Jaelen Feeney, Lachlan Fitzgibbon, Johnathan Ford, Mitch Garbutt, Josh King, Brock Lamb, Danny Levi, Jake Mamo, Kurt Mann, Chanel Mata’utia, Pat Mata’utia, Peter Mata’utia, Sione Mata’utia, Constantine Mika, Kevin Naiqama, Api Pewhairangi, Dylan Phythian, Tyler Randell, Chad Redman, Tyrone Roberts, Daniel Saifiti, Jacob Saifiti, Jason Schirnack, Korbin Sims, Will Smith, Ryan Stig, Sam Stone, Joseph Tapine, Zane Tetevano, Paterika Vaivai & Luke Yates.
The total number of first-grade games: 1029.
The total number of Origin appearances: 0.
The total number of international appearances: 32 – Fiji: 15, Cook Islands: 5, New Zealand: 4, Australia: 3, Samoa: 3 & Ireland: 2.
Melbourne Storm
Total number & percentage: 36/182 at 19.78%.
List of players to have played first-grade: Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Kirisome Auva’a, Jesse Bromwich, Kenny Bromwich, Dane Chisholm, Brodie Croft, Matt Duffie, Mahe Fonua, Slade Griffin, Aidan Guerra, Ben Hampton, Tohu Harris, William Isa, Sam Joe, Luke Kelly, Richie Kennar, Blake Leary, Matt Lodge, Kurt Mann, Jordan McLean, Cam Munster, Justin O’Neill, Kevin Proctor, Robbie Rochow, Billy Rogers, Curtis Scott, Denny Solomona, Joe Stimson, Aiden Tolman, Joseph Tomane, Young Tonumaipea, Suliasi Vunivalu, Christian Welch, Gareth Widdop & Brayden Wiliame.
The total number of first-grade games: 1774.
The total number of Origin appearances: QLD: 12.
The total number of international appearances: 94 – New Zealand: 57, England: 17, France: 4, Tonga: 4, Italy: 3, Australia: 3, Fiji: 3 & Samoa: 3.
St George Illawarra Dragons
Total number & percentage: 34/172 at 19.77%.
List of players to have played first-grade: Euan Aitken, Jack Bird, Jack de Belin, Adam Docker, Matt Dufty, Kenny Edwards, Kalifa Fai Fai Loa, Daniel Fepuleai, Jai Field, Addin Fonua-Blake, Craig Garvey, Yaw Kiti Glymin, Nathan Green, Jackson Hastings, Beau Henry, Jacob Host, Drew Hutchison, Cameron King, Luciano Leilua, Kane Linnett, Jake Marketo, Alex McKinnon, Trent Merrin, Sitiveni Moceidreke, Rory O’Brien, Adam Quinlan, Mitch Rein, Charly Runciman, Hame Sele, Chase Stanley, Kyle Stanley, Jack Stockwell, Joe Vickery & Dean Whare.
The total number of first-grade games: 1438.
The total number of Origin appearances: NSW: 15
The total number of international appearances: 38 – New Zealand: 19, Scotland: 6, Australia: 6, Samoa: 4 & Cook Islands: 3.
Canterbury Bulldogs
Total number & percentage: 38/211 at 18%.
List of players to have played first-grade: Harlan Alaalatoa, Ben Barba, Lachlan Burr, Paul Carter, Adam Elliott, Herman Ese’ese, Jaelen Feeney, Dale Finucane, Jake Foster, Danny Fualalo, Daniel Harrison, Jamal Idris, Josh Jackson, Sam Kasiano, Sione Kite, David Klemmer, Tim Lafai, Shaun Lane, Samisoni Langi, Leilani Latu, Nathan Massey, Moses Mbye, Matt Minto, Marcelo Montoya, Ed Murphy, Heka Nanai, Lloyd Perrett, Tyrone Phillips, Shane Pumipi, Josh Reynolds, Aidan Sezer, Nathan Smith, Reimis Smith, Tupou Sopoaga, Peni Ratu Tagive, Tautalatasi Tasi, Arana Taumata & Martin Taupau.
The total number of first-grade games: 1592.
The total number of Origin appearances: NSW: 12.
The total number of international appearances: 55 – New Zealand: 21, Australia: 11, Samoa: 10, Tonga: 7, Fiji: 4 & Scotland: 2.
Penrith Panthers
Total number & percentage: 39/222 at 17.6%.
List of players to have played first-grade: Tinirau Arona, Blake Austin, Waqa Blake, Braidon Burns, Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Bryce Cartwright, Nathan Cleary, Damien Cook, Lachlan Coote, Dylan Edwards, Tom Eisenhuth, Sarafu Fatiaki, James Fisher-Harris, Tim Glasby, Wade Graham, Tim Grant, Corey Harawira-Naera, Masada Iosefa, William Isa, George Jennings, Robert Jennings, Moses Leota, Matt Lodge, Sam McKendry, Kierran Moseley, Matt Moylan, Joseph Paulo, Daniel Penese, James Roberts, Joel Romelo, Tony Satini, Jesse Sene-Lefao, Harry Siejka, Chris Smith, Junior Tia-Kilifi, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Malakai Watene-Zelezniak, Matt Wright & Isaah Yeo.
The total number of first-grade games: 1838
The total number of Origin appearances: NSW: 6.
The total number of international appearances: 36 – Samoa: 14, New Zealand: 11, USA: 4, Cook Islands: 3, Scotland: 3, & Australia: 1.
North Queensland Cowboys
Total number & percentage: 26/153 at 17%.
List of players to have played first-grade: Javid Bowen, Josh Chudleigh, Kyle Feldt, Obe Geia, Gideon Gela-Mosby, Chris Grevsmuhl, Coen Hess, Sam Hoare, Jayden Hodges, Dane Hogan, Tom Humble, Felise Kaufusi, Patrick Kaufusi, Viliame Kikau, Tyson Martin, Michael Morgan, Moses Pangai, Kalyn Ponga, Zac Santo, James Segeyaro, Nick Slyney, Ben Spina, Jason Taumalolo, Ray Thompson, Will Tupou & Wayne Ulugia.
The total number of first-grade games: 735.
The total number of Origin appearances: QLD: 5.
The total number of international appearances: 37 – Tonga: 13, New Zealand: 9, Papua New Guinea: 7, Australia: 6 & Fiji: 2.
Gold Coast Titans
Total number & percentage: 33/216 at 15.28%.
List of players to have played first-grade: Caleb Binge, Jamie Dowling, Kane Elgey, Kevin Gordon, Jy Hitchcox, Jahrome Hughes, Hymel Hunt, Sam Irwin, Ryan James, Brian Kelly, Max King, Tom Kingston, Karl Lawton, Kayne Lawton, Will Matthews, David Mead, Cody Nelson, John Olive, Luke Page, Dominique Peyroux, Jordan Rankin, Jordan Rapana, Ben Ridge, Tyronne Roberts-Davis, Ryan Simpkins, Matt Srama, Bodene Thompson, Joseph Tomane, Esi Tonga, Siosaia Vave, Cody Walker, Shannon Walker & Jarrod Wallace.
The total number of first-grade games: 1278.
The total number of Origin appearances: 0.
The total number of international appearances: 25 – Papua New Guinea: 9, Cook Islands: 5, Tonga: 5, New Zealand: 4, & Samoa: 2.
South Sydney Rabbitohs
Total number & percentage: 30/197 at 15.23%.
List of players to have played first-grade: George Burgess, Luke Capewell, Jason Clark, Angus Crichton, Dylan Farrell, Jack Gosiewski, Aaron Gray, Alex Johnston, Luke Keary, Apisai Koroisau, Josh Mansour, Cam McInnes, Kane Morgan, Cameron Murray, Zane Musgrove, John Olive, Nathan Peats, Eddy Pettybourne, Tyrone Phillips, Adam Reynolds, James Roberts, Chris Sandow, James Segeyaro, Josh Starling, Brad Takairangi, Siosifa Talakai, Kyle Turner, Dave Tyrrell, Junior Vaivai & Dylan Walker.
The total number of first-grade games: 1974.
The total number of Origin appearances: NSW: 7.
The total number of international appearances: England: 11, Australia: 10: Fiji: 6, USA: 4, Fiji: 3, Lebanon: 3, Cook Islands: 3, Papua New Guinea: 1 & Samoa: 1.
Cronulla Sharks
Total number & percentage: 27/191 at 14.14%.
List of players to have played first-grade: Josh Addo-Carr, Jack Bosden, Jayden Brailey, Fa’amanu Brown, Jayson Bukuya, Blake Ferguson, Karl Filiga, Tyson Frizell, Nathan Gardner, James Hasson, Valentine Holmes, Lancen Joudo, Albert Kelly, Ricky Leutele, Michael Lichaa, Jon Mannah, Penani Manumalealii, Sione Masima, Stewart Mills, Kyle O’Donnell, Tyrone Peachey, Shane Pumipi, Patrice Siolo, Scott Sorenson, Nathan Stapleton, Chad Townsend & Matthew Wright.
The total number of first-grade games: 1169.
The total number of Origin appearances: NSW: 6.
The total number of international appearances: Australia: 14, Fiji: 10, Samoa: 10, Wales: 5, & Scotland: 3.
Manly Sea Eagles
Total number & percentage: 19/187 at 10.16%.
List of players to have played first-grade: Jason Annear, Billy Bainbridge, Jamie Buhrer, Daly Cherry-Evans, Josh Drinkwater, Kenny Edwards, Kieran Foran, Clint Gutherson, Will Hopoate, Liam Knight, Darcy Lussick, Michael Oldfield, Brad Parker, Lama Tasi, Jorge Taufua, Jake Trbojevic, Tom Trbojevic, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves & Dean Whare.
The total number of first-grade games: 1193.
The total number of Origin appearances: NSW: 6 & QLD: 6.
The total number of international appearances: New Zealand: 53, Australia: 12, Tonga: 6 & Samoa: 1.
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