It’s an argument as old as the game itself, but the naming of Englishman Kevin Sinfield as rugby league’s best of 2012 is sure to raise more than a few eyebrows back in Australia.
Sinfield, the Leeds and England skipper who led the Rhinos to a sixth Super League title in nine seasons, became just the fourth Englishman to be awarded the Golden Boot – the unofficial prize for the code’s player of the year.
It is an honour bestowed by Rugby League World magazine since 1984, having been taken out by some of the game’s greats including Wally Lewis, Mal Meninga, Andrew Johns and Darren Lockyer.
More recently, Cameron Smith, Benji Marshall, Billy Slater, Greg Inglis and Johnathan Thurston have all been honoured.
In 2012, Sinfield captained Leeds to a World Club Challenge win over Manly and overcame a sickening head knock to produce a man-of-the-match performance in the Rhinos’ grand final win over Warrington.
The 32-year-old has enjoyed a decorated career in the Old Dart but, despite big wraps, has largely struggled to make an impact at Test level, especially against Australia’s Kangaroos.
England did not play Australia in 2012, their only internationals being against France and Wales.
Australian skipper Smith was again on the shortlist, having completed the trifecta of leading his club, (Melbourne), state (Queensland) and country (against New Zealand) to a clean sweep of trophies.
Also on the shortlist was his Storm teammate Cooper Cronk, the NRL grand final man of the match and Queensland hero after stepping seamlessly into the boots of the retired Lockyer to kick the State of Origin series-clinching field goal for the Maroons.
Then there was Ben Barba, who took the NRL by storm in 2012 with a series of breathtaking displays for Canterbury, though his chances would have been harmed by his inability to break into representative football.
Sinfield is the first Englishman to win the award since Andy Farrell in 2004, with Ellery Hanley (1988) and Garry Schofield (1990) the only other of his countrymen to take the honour.
“The British game can and does still produce individuals of world-class ability,” Rugby League World editor John Drake told the Press Association.
“Kevin Sinfield is one such player and it is right that his towering achievements in 2012 should be recognised with the Golden Boot.”
Martyn Sadler, chairman of League Publications Ltd, added: “In the grand final, Sinfield kicked five out of five, from all over the pitch, and that after he had been knocked out earlier by a challenge to the head.
“What he did in that game goes beyond what could reasonably be expected, even of a Golden Boot winner.
“Twice injured with brutal clashes that epitomise the sport, he simply shrugged off those knocks, got up and got on with his own game, setting an example for his colleagues to follow.”
Naught
Guest
There isn't a coach in either SL or NRL that would take Sinfield over Cam Smith, Thurston, Cronk, Slater or Barba.. you can add more to that list too.
cjones
Guest
matt h, A point which has been overlooked (possibly on purpose) is that the award is voted for by ex-players and journalists from NH AND SH on a points basis. 3pts for First, 2 for 2nd, And 1 for 3rd place.
Lancashire
Guest
In a team game it's impossible to judge who's the best player across a number of competitions in different countries, but Sinfield is a fantastic leader who always stands up for his team in their biggest matches and maybe this is reward for an outstanding career rather than necessarily based on just form in 2012. In that respect he's like Cameron Smith, always making the right decisions and executing the basics (pass, kick, run, tackle) superbly.
Much Wenlock
Guest
I'm not a fan of the Leeds Rhinos and I like to think that the Golden Boot goes to he who deserves it. Despite his end of season form for Leeds, I was quite surprised that Kevin Sinfield won the awared. He didn't make the SL dream team or his own clubs end of year award, and one could argue that Cameron Smith was more deserving. However, I am not surprised at the lack of class shown by many Aussies. And since when did not losing something equate to being snubbed? This award seems to have shown the world that Australians are wannabe Americans without the clout, and that playing games is all they have to offer.
Much Wenlock
Guest
You know why Matt. Despite the rivalry, British RL supporters have always been appreciative of players from from Australia and NZ. And although in recent decades the power has shifted downunder, there is still much respect for your competition and it's athletes.
Much Wenlock
Guest
Maybe your're right, but I bet the RL week version never made you spit your dummy so far.
Much Wenlock
Guest
Here's a breakdown of the wins since 1984 By nationality Australia - 15 wins England - 4 wins New Zealand - 3 wins By position Five-Eighth or Stand-Off - 7 wins Halfback or Scrum-Half - 6 wins Fullback - 4 wins Centre - 2 wins Hooker - 1 win Lock or Loose Forward - 1 win Second Row - 1 win Prop or Front Row - 0 wins Wing - 0 wins By year 1984 Wally Lewis Australia Five-Eighth Wynnum Manly Seagulls 1985 Brett Kenny Australia Five-Eighth Parramatta Eels 1986 Garry Jack Australia Fullback Balmain Tigers 1987t Hugh McGahan New Zealand Second Row Eastern Suburbs 1987t Peter Sterling Australia Halfback Parramatta Eels 1988 Ellery Hanley England Five-Eighth Wigan 1989 Mal Meninga Australia Centre Canberra Raiders 19902 Garry Schofield England Five-Eighth Leeds 1991 - 1998 No award given 1999 Andrew Johns Australia Halfback Newcastle Knights 2000 Brad Fittler Australia Five-Eighth Sydney Roosters 2001 Andrew Johns Australia Halfback Newcastle Knights 2002 Stacey Jones New Zealand Halfback New Zealand Warriors 2003 Darren Lockyer Australia Fullback Brisbane Broncos 2004 Andrew Farrell England Lock Wigan Warriors 2005 Anthony Minichiello Australia Fullback Sydney Roosters 2006 Darren Lockyer Australia Five-Eighth Brisbane Broncos 2007 Cameron Smith Australia Hooker Melbourne Storm 2008 Billy Slater Australia Fullback Melbourne Storm 2009 Greg Inglis Australia Centre Melbourne Storm 2010 Benji Marshall New Zealand Five-Eighth Wests Tigers 2011 Johnathan Thurston Australia Halfback North Queensland Cowboys 2012 Kevin Sinfield England Five-Eighth Leeds Rhinos
Much Wenlock
Guest
Now you're being silly.
Much Wenlock
Guest
The only thing that you should be embarrassed about is yourself and your infantile response.
Much Wenlock
Guest
More like 'Aussie egos snubbed'.
Bondy.
Guest
How many Kiwi players have won the golden boot,anyone.
Dragoon
Guest
So he had a good game in the final - that seemed the whole criteria - did he do anything else all year. Its like the Australian RU magazine awarding the worlds best player to David Pocock in the year the All Blacks win the World cup..
Pot Stirrer
Guest
Damn Straight. Interseting Question as i would love to see how Barba would go in SOO, but i would choose Ingliss, I think the overall strength of the team would be better but then if Barbas form is as good next year i think i may be more worried if Barba was FB than if Ingliss was. I think Barbas size is something thats always going to go against him as far as Origin is concerned.
Damn Straight
Roar Rookie
Good question Pot Stirrer. I think Barba will have to maintain his form for at least another 2 seasons before he could oust Slater from fullback. Another hypothetical question for you...who would you pick at fullback out of Inglis and Barba, if for some reason Slater was out of the picture?
Pot Stirrer
Guest
Damn Straight Yes i agree and the more i thought about it there is a huge difference between the 2 competitions but i guess when they were judging they didnt take that into account either. Not sure where you want Barba to play in the rep sides though. I would still Choose Slater over any other FB in any team, and i think there are better utility options. From memory Barba only exploded when Hasler shifted him to FB. How ever i cant wait for the season to start and watch him apply his magic again.
matt h
Guest
You all know it's an English magazine right? The question should not be why an Aussie did not win it, but how only four Englishmen ever have. Could you ever imagine the Daily Telegraph giving such an award to a foreigner?
matt h
Guest
Don;t see how Scott was being parochial when he was mentioning that there are better English players
Damn Straight
Roar Rookie
I didn't watch evey SL game potstirrer(watched a few though). But would you agree that the NRL is the best, most competitive rugby league comp in the world? Barba was a clear standout as the best, most consistently great player in the best comp in the world in 2012; voted as such, by Dally M judges and players alike. Sure, he didn't crack the maroons or kangaroos, but if his form continues as it did in 2012, it would be an absolute farce if he didn't.
Thomas Stansfield
Guest
I think Sinfield has a few years left in him and is still on top form if the playoffs and grand final are anything to go buy. Jamie Peacock who is a fellow Leeds Rhinos and ex England Captain is definitely past his best if your looking for a good example of that.
Graz
Guest
Australia did nt play any tests against GB in 2012, whilst Leeds won the WCC. If the Australians are not happy with the award, they should have toured and won the WCC.