Slater scoops top gong

Slater: Player of the Year

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Australian full-back Billy Slater was named the first Rugby League International Federation player of the year at the inaugural awards night on Monday, where two Englishman made the team of the year.

Slater has been in sparkling form throughout the past year and he got the nod as the first ever RLIF player of the year award, which was chosen former players and media representatives from Australia, New Zealand and the UK.

The Melbourne Storm man has two hat-tricks in the World Cup, played in all three Origin matches for Queensland and starred for his club side as they win the NRL minor premiership.

Slater beat off competition from St Helens forward James Graham and England team-mates Leon Pryce, Rob Burrow and Jamie Peacock who were all short-listed for the award.

Graham did have the honour of being included in the team of the year as the best prop in the game, while Leeds' Gareth Ellis shared the award for second-rower with Australian Anthony Laffranchi.

Melbourne provide four of the ten players in the team of the year, while Australia have six overall with the two Englishmen joined by New Zealand's sole representative Manu Vatuvei as winger.

Manly coach Des Hasler was named as the coach of the year after winning the NRL premiership, while Melbourne's Israel Folau was also handed the young player of the year award.

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).