England trio make World XIII

Graham: Selected again

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Three England players have made it into the 2009 World XIII selected by Rugby League World magazine.

St Helens prop James Graham has retained his place after making the 2008 line-up, but has this year been joined by back-row duo Gareth Ellis and Sam Burgess having been the only Englishman chosen 12 months ago.

Former Wakefield and Leeds forward Ellis was named as Wests Tigers' player of the year in 2009 having made the switch to Australia's NRL.

Ex-Bradford star Burgess will also be plying his trade down under next season having agreed a four-year contract with the South Sydney Rabbitohs.

Kangaroo internationals Billy Slater, Greg Inglis, Darren Lockyer, Johnathan Thurston and Cameron Smith are all also survivors from the 2008 team and have been joined by St George winger Brett Morris, Penrith centre Michael Jennings and Manly second-rower Anthony Watmough.

World Cup holders New Zealand are represented by Wests winger Taniela Tuiaki and Parramatta prop Fuifui Moimoi.

The team was compiled by a panel of former internationals, including Wally Lewis and Garry Schofield, and members of the rugby league media who took club form into account but, as with the Golden Boot award, gave greater credence to representative rugby.

World XIII: Billy Slater (Aus); Brett Morris (Aus), Greg Inglis (Aus), Michael Jennings (Aus), Taniela Tuiaki (NZ); Darren Lockyer (Aus), Johnathan Thurston (Aus); Fuifui Moimoi (NZ), Cameron Smith (Aus), James Graham (Eng), Gareth Ellis (Eng), Anthony Watmough (Aus), Sam Burgess (Eng)