Kangaroos dominate World XIII
01.12.06 08:56
Eight *'s, Four Kiwis and only one Lion have been named in the 2006 Rugby League *'s World XIII.
The World XIII, voted by journalist from Australia, Great Britain and New Zealand, is based upon an *'s performance throughout an entire season, including club form, domestic representative and test/international form. Test form is the major voting factor for deciding positions and in terms of which players make it.
New *'s man of the Tri-Nations series, Brent Webb secured the fullback spot after taking a more playmaking role in the 2006 series, whilst the centres and wings positions went to the imposing Australian backline of King, Gasiner, Hodges and Inglis.
Golden Boot winner, Darren Lockyer, easily secured the five-eighth spot, and was paired with Stacey Jones who was a key performer in the later stages of the Tri-Nations tournament, as well as the major attacking weapon in the mid-year XXXX Test.
Kiwi forwards, Roy Asotasi and Ruben Wiki both secured the Prop Forward positions, whilst Cameron Smith was named hooker.
Great *'s only representative in the team, Jamie Peacock was selected in the second row with *'s Nathan Hindmarsh, whilst surprisingly Ben Kennedy was named in the loose forward position, despite only playing one test this year.
Rugby League *'s - World XIII:
1. Brent Webb (New Zealand)
2. Matt King (Australia)
3. Mark Gasnier (Australia)
4. Justin Hodges (Australia)
5. Greg Inglis (Australia)
6. Darren Lockyer (Australia)
7. Stacey Jones (New Zealand)
8. Ruben Wiki (New Zealand)
9. Cameron Smith (Australia)
10. Roy Asotasi (New Zealand)
11. Jamie Peacock (Great Britain)
12. Nathan Hindmarsh (Australia)
13. Ben Kennedy (Australia)
Source: www.arldevelopment.com.au