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Leeds Rhinos: Duo are top of the world
Leeds Rhinos duo Ryan Hall and Kevin Sinfield have been hailed as two of the best in the world.
Hall was named international rookie of the year at the Rugby League International Federation awards dinner in Leeds. Sinfield joined winger Hall in the international team of the year, after being named best loose-forward.
Former Wakefield and Leeds forward Gareth Ellis, now with Aussie side Wests Tigers, was voted as the world's top second-row.
The international awards were based on performances between last year's World Cup and the Super League Grand Final, a month ago.
Australia winger Jarryd Hayne was player of the year. Leeds' Kylie Leuluai (Samoa) and Wakefield's Damien Blanch (Ireland) were named their nation's best.
The award caps an astonishing breakthrough year for Hall, who claimed his second Grand Final winner's ring, was top try scorer in engage Super League and made his Test debut.
Other accolades include being named Yorkshire Evening Post Shooting Star and runner-up in the Rhinos player of the year awards, as well as a place in the Super League Dream Team.
Hall admitted he was "bewildered" by his latest success and he said: "I was quite surprised to be one of the nominees, it is a great honour for me."
But the Leeds-born flier insists the best could be yet to come. "It could get better, if we win on Saturday," Hall said of this weekend's Gillette Four Nations final, against Australia.
Hall is looking to add to his season's try tally after scoring just once in the Four Nations so far.
Attacking opportunities have been limited on England's left side and the former Oulton Raiders amateur said: "I haven't been given as many chances as I'd been expecting, but I'm not really bothered about that.
"I like playing in back-field, bringing the ball out. That's what I feel is one of my strongest areas.
"I am happy to do that and I've been doing that steady away so far.
"Hopefully I'll get some chances in the final and I'll finish a couple, but we'll see how it goes."
England/Great Britain haven't beaten Australia in a decisive game since 1970 and Hall admitted the showdown in four days' time is as tough as it gets.
"It's the ultimate test," Hall said.
"It's the two best sides internationally, competing against each other to be crowned king of the world.
"Hopefully we can do it, we have been improving and you can see that from the results we've had so far. We didn't play very well against France, but we came away with a win.
"The second 40 was a lot better than the first half against Australia last time and it was a good display by us for the full 80 against New Zealand.
"Hopefully we will keep improving and we'll give ourselves our best chance in the final.
"In a final everybody steps up anyway, but we are going to have to come up with things to combat their strongest areas.
"I think we will be able to do that – and we should worry them as well."
England coach Tony Smith has attempted to create a club culture in the England camp and according to Hall, that is playing off.
"To get along with your team mates is the most important thing, no matter who you're playing for," he stressed.
"If you get along with the guy at the side of you, you're sweet. I think we've been doing that.
"We've been in camp and we've all started gelling together. It is really working for us."
Hall and his Leeds Rhinos team mates will be back at Elland Road in three months' time, to take on Australian champions Melbourne Storm in the Carnegie World Club Challenge.
"It would be nice to do the double," Hall said. "But it's one step at the time. We've got this final first and that's what I'm concentrating on.
"It is brilliant to be playing in a big final in my home town.
"A couple of years ago, I'd never have thought it would happen.
"I have just got to prepare for it like a true professional and that's what I'll be doing."
Meanwhile, Australia coach Tim Sheens says he was not surprised by England's 20-12 win over New Zealand on Saturday.
"Most people picked New Zealand but I thought they had the forward power to control them," he said. "I haven't seen the England game yet but to beat New Zealand given their form they have obviously done very well.
"Their second half against us and to come out and beat the Kiwis who gave us a bit of a towelling in that first game is a great effort."
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Thursday 24 May 2012
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