It wasn't the big fellas that I noticed tbh. Everyone knew Tookey because he grew up around here, but the guys who were really noticeable as opponents to me were the younger 90kg guys on the up (Aaron Moule, Phillip Lee) or the older guys who still had good years left but had NRL experience under them (Andrew Neave, Eddie Fallins).
You definitely always noticed when your own prop was a keeper though. Love that bloke who can suck it 3-4 defenders, find his front and get a quick ptb so I can run 10-15m on the next play.
I just haven't ever had to tackle a guy who is in their prime as someone physically dominant at an NRL level though.
Hell I didn't even get to tackle Jordan Pereira I don't think because I'm pretty sure the one time I was lined up against him we were on opposite wings and he didn't do damage holding the paint, he did it coming in field or kick returning.
Even with some good years left Phillip Lee's wiki says he was 180cm and 92kg. I know I can tackle people that size, the best ones will beat me at times for sure (especially for an offload), I'm not gunna pretend I could dominant 1on1 every 100kg or less NRL player 50 times out of 50.
But Nelson is on a level of size and power I don't think I'm dealing with.
I also know from a 1on1 perspective that how I tackled big guys wouldn't help. On smaller guys I could hit and stick and take them to the ground. On bigger guys it was more hit and wrap and use other players to hold them for a bit then take them down. My legs tackle technique as first defender just didn't exist haha
