Rugby League World XIII
Seven players - Billy Slater, Greg Inglis, Ryan Hall, Johnathan Thurston, James Graham, Cameron Smith and Paul Gallen - retain their places in the annual Rugby League World XIII which is chosen every year by the game's worldwide media.
The World XIII has been revealed in the January edition of Rugby League World magazine, which is in the shops from today (Friday).
Brett Morris and Sam Burgess are selected again after absences of three and two years respectively, and a quartet of World XIII debutants in Josh Morris, Cooper Cronk, Sam Kasiano and Nate Myles make up the selection.
In addition to the World XIII, the new issue of Rugby League World Magazine carries the full World Ratings, listing the top five ranked players in each position.
Editor John Drake explained: "Every year we invite members of the print and broadcast media across the Rugby League playing world to vote for our World XIII and this year's ultimate line-up is as formidable as any.
"While NRL based Englishmen James Graham and Sam Burgess made the final cut, along with Ryan Hall who emerged as the runaway leader in the voting for a wing position, four other Super League players only just missed out too.
"Wigan duo Sam Tomkins at fullback and Sean O'Loughlin at loose forward, plus England captain Kevin Sinfield at stand-off and James Roby at hooker all ranked second in their positions in the overall World Ratings, making it one of the strongest showings by English players in years.
"Hopefully that's a good omen for the World Cup in 2013!"
WORLD XIII
1. Billy Slater (Melbourne Storm)
2. Brett Morris (St George-Illawarra Dragons)
3. Greg Inglis (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
4. Josh Morris (Canterbury Bulldogs)
5. Ryan Hall (Leeds Rhinos)
6. Johnathan Thurston (North Queensland Cowboys)
7. Cooper Cronk (Melbourne Storm)
8. James Graham (Canterbury Bulldogs)
9. Cameron Smith (Melbourne Storm)
10. Sam Kasiano (Canterbury Bulldogs)
11. Nate Myles (Gold Coast Titans)
12. Sam Burgess (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
13. Paul Gallen (Cronulla Sharks)
The World XIII and World Ratings have been published annually by Rugby League World Magazine and its predecessor Open Rugby since 1978.
The shortlist for the Rugby League World Golden Boot will be announced on Monday 10th December, with the winner revealed on Friday 4th January in Rugby League World Magazine.
www.rugbyleagueworld.net
The World XIII has been revealed in the January edition of Rugby League World magazine, which is in the shops from today (Friday).
Brett Morris and Sam Burgess are selected again after absences of three and two years respectively, and a quartet of World XIII debutants in Josh Morris, Cooper Cronk, Sam Kasiano and Nate Myles make up the selection.
In addition to the World XIII, the new issue of Rugby League World Magazine carries the full World Ratings, listing the top five ranked players in each position.
Editor John Drake explained: "Every year we invite members of the print and broadcast media across the Rugby League playing world to vote for our World XIII and this year's ultimate line-up is as formidable as any.
"While NRL based Englishmen James Graham and Sam Burgess made the final cut, along with Ryan Hall who emerged as the runaway leader in the voting for a wing position, four other Super League players only just missed out too.
"Wigan duo Sam Tomkins at fullback and Sean O'Loughlin at loose forward, plus England captain Kevin Sinfield at stand-off and James Roby at hooker all ranked second in their positions in the overall World Ratings, making it one of the strongest showings by English players in years.
"Hopefully that's a good omen for the World Cup in 2013!"
WORLD XIII
1. Billy Slater (Melbourne Storm)
2. Brett Morris (St George-Illawarra Dragons)
3. Greg Inglis (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
4. Josh Morris (Canterbury Bulldogs)
5. Ryan Hall (Leeds Rhinos)
6. Johnathan Thurston (North Queensland Cowboys)
7. Cooper Cronk (Melbourne Storm)
8. James Graham (Canterbury Bulldogs)
9. Cameron Smith (Melbourne Storm)
10. Sam Kasiano (Canterbury Bulldogs)
11. Nate Myles (Gold Coast Titans)
12. Sam Burgess (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
13. Paul Gallen (Cronulla Sharks)
The World XIII and World Ratings have been published annually by Rugby League World Magazine and its predecessor Open Rugby since 1978.
The shortlist for the Rugby League World Golden Boot will be announced on Monday 10th December, with the winner revealed on Friday 4th January in Rugby League World Magazine.
www.rugbyleagueworld.net