Marshall Breaks Australian Domination of Awards

Marshall Breaks Australian Domination of Awards

London, England, November 2, 2011 – Kiwi captain Benji Marshall provided the only relief on a night of Australian domination when he won the standoff of the year category at the Rugby League International Federation’s annual awards dinner at the Tower of London tonight.

Marshall apart it was a case of advance Australia everywhere at an event staged in the splendid surroundings of one of London’s most spectacular attractions on the banks of the River Thames.

Of the nine positional awards, Australian players won the other eight through Billy Slater (fullback), Akuila Uate (winger), Jamie Lyon (centre), Daly Cherry-Evans (halfback), Paul Gallen (loose forward), Sam Thaiday (second rower), Matt Scott (prop) and Cameron Smith (hooker).

Marshall joined Slater and Smith as one of three nominees for the International Player of the Year Award, Slater taking it out to back up his 2011 Dally M success.

Brisbane winger Jharal Yow Yeh was named the rookie of the year and two other Australians collected the other major honours, Des Halser as coach of the year and Tony Archer the referee of the year.

While honoured to be acknowledged as the standoff of the year and a finalist for the premier award, Marshall’s focus wasn’t on his personal success but the Kiwis’ all-important Four Nations clash against Wembley Stadium on Saturday. He said there was no temptation to have one eye on the next match against England in Hull on November 12.

"For the time being this is the only game we have to play and one we need to win because, if we don't, that will be the end of the tournament for us,” he said.

"Anything short of making the final would be a failure for us. We want to go back to back but the only way to do that is to improve the wat we've been playing. The first step is Wales this weekend."

The highlight of the awards night for the Kiwis was undoubtedly the venue itself. On arriving at the Tower of London, the 23 players plus staff were taken on a tour of the historic site including a visit to the vault to see the Crown Jewels.

Later at the awards dinner Slater capped a year of achievement with his second International Player of the Year award

The Melbourne Storm star enjoyed a memorable 12-month period which saw him steer Queensland to State of Origin success, establish himself as one of Australia’s all-time greats and collect the NRL’s Dally M medal after playing a pivotal role in guiding his side to a minor premiership title. Slater was presented with his award by the legendary Martin Offiah.

After marking his international debut with a try against New Zealand in May, Yow Yeh was awarded with the International Rookie of the Year award. Yow Yeh, who scored 14 tries for Brisbane in 2011, received the award ahead of Canterbury Bulldogs centre Jamal Idris and Kiwi and Melbourne winger Matt Duffie.

Having lost out to Melbourne’s Craig Bellamy in the NRL Coach of the Year awards, Manly Sea Eagles coach Des Hasler took home the International Coach of the Year award after guiding his side to grand final success. Hasler received his award ahead of Bellamy and Leeds Rhinos coach Brian McDermott, who led his side to victory in the 2011 Super League grand final.

There were also awards for the Nations’ International Player of the Year award, which recognises the achievements of a single player from all of the RLIF’s affiliate nations with players such as Feleti Mateo, George Carmont and Wes Naiqama receiving the awards for their respective country.

David Oxley CBE, the Rugby Football League’s former chief executive, was presented with the RLIF Spirit of Rugby League award in recognition of the significant contribution he has made to the game in his lifetime.

Full list of award winners:

Player of the Year: Billy Slater (Melbourne Storm)
Spirit of Rugby League Award: David Oxley CBE
Rookie of the Year: Jharal Yow Yeh (Brisbane Broncos)
Coach of the Year: Des Hasler (Manly Sea Eagles)
Referee of the Year: Tony Archer (Australia)

Team of the year:
Fullback: Billy Slater (Melbourne Storm)
Winger: Akuila Uate (Newcastle Knights)
Centre: Jamie Lyon (Manly Sea Eagles)
Standoff: Benji Marshall (West Tigers)
Scrumhalf: Daly Cherry-Evans (Manly Sea Eagles)
Prop: Matt Scott (North Queensland Cowboys)
Hooker: Cameron Smith (Melbourne Storm)
Second Row: Sam Thaiday (Brisbane Broncos)
Loose Forward: Paul Gallen (Cronulla Sharks)

Nations’ Players of the Year:
Canada: Matt Wyles
Cook Islands: Tinirau Arona
Czech Republic: Jan Buben
Fiji: Wes Naiqama
France: Rémi Casty
Germany: Thomas Isaak
Ireland: Tim Bergin
Italy: Matteo Rossi
Jamaica: Tyronie Rowe
Japan: Keisuke Kinoshita
Malta: Clifford Debattista
Norway: Sonny Mellor
Lebanon: Walid Yassine
Russia: Eduard Ososkov
Samoa: George Carmont
Scotland: Dale Ferguson
Serbia: Dalibor Vukanovic
South Africa: Deon Kraemer
Sweden: Alexander Rappestad
Tonga: Feleti Mateo
Ukraine: Vladimir Mashkin
USA: Apple Pope
Wales: Lloyd White

ENDS

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