Rugby League International Awards 2008

[DIEHARD]

England had two winners at the inaugural Rugby League International Federation awards ceremony in Brisbane which was dominated by Australia.

St Helens forward James Graham, Super League's Man of Steel, was named as prop in the team of the year, while Leeds' departing forward Gareth Ellis shared the award for second-rower of the year with the Kangaroos' Anthony Laffranchi.

Graham lost out to Melbourne Storm's Australian full-back Billy Slater as the first winner of the RLIF player of the year at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium.

Slater, who has scored two hat-tricks in the World Cup, joins six other Kangaroos and a solitary New Zealander in the team of the year chosen for achievements between mid-October 2007 and mid-October 2008. Current World Cup performances will count towards next year's awards.

Graham's England team-mates Leon Pryce, Rob Burrow and Jamie Pea**** were also short-listed for the prestigious award.

Slater started the 2008 season in spectacular form and won the Australian full-back jumper for the Centenary Test in May, played in all three Origin matches for Queensland and was in superb form as the Storm lifted the NRL minor premiership.

Australia also provided the young player of the year in Melbourne's Israel Folau, who crowned his maiden season in the top grade by becoming the youngest Kangaroo when - at 18 years and 194 days - he scored two tries on his debut against New Zealand in Wellington.

Manly's premiership coach Des Hasler was named coach of the year and Australian Tony Archer, who controlled last year's Test series between Great Britain and New Zealand as well as the NRL Grand Final, was named referee of the year.

Wakefield's Cook Islands forward Adam Watene, who died last month of a suspected heart attack, was among the players recognised in the emerging nations awards, along with Scotland's Iain Morrison, Dave Halley, of Wales, and Ireland's Damien Blanch.

RLIF chairman and World Cup tournament director Colin Love said: "It is important for the game to officially recognise its players and officials through an awards night such as this.

"The RLIF feels that there could be no better time than this World Cup and the centenary of the game in Australia to institute an annual awards night to honour the best in rugby league from around the world."

Team of the year

Full-back: Billy Slater (Melbourne, Queensland and Australia)

Winger: Manu Vatuvei (NZ Warriors and New Zealand)

Centre: Israel Folau (Melbourne, Queensland and Australia)

Stand-off: Greg Inglis (Melbourne, Queensland and Australia)

Scrum-half: Scott Prince (Gold Coast, Queensland and Australia)

Prop: James Graham (St Helens and England)

Hooker: Cameron Smith (Melbourne, Queensland and Australia)

Second row (joint winners): Gareth Ellis (Leeds and England); Anthony Laffranchi (Gold Coast, NSW and Australia)

Loose forward: Paul Gallen (Cronulla, NSW and Australia).

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[GCT_89]

Congratulations to Scott Prince and Anthony Laffranchi.... IRLf team of the year......

BIG WRAP TO THEM!!!!!!