Even Kevin Sinfield was surprised to win rugby league’s unofficial prize for the world’s best player – the Golden Boot.
However, the Leeds champion dismissed his Australian critics who believe NRL stars like Melbourne’s Cameron Smith and Canterbury’s Dally M Medallist Ben Barba were better placed to win the award with Sinfield claiming Aussies “rate themselves very highly”.
Sinfield, 32, looked set to go a long way to silencing the cynics when he led English Super League champions Leeds out against a star-studded Melbourne Storm in the upcoming World Club Challenge.
But the backlash over the England captain ousting the stars of the NRL does not look like going away soon after the Englishman’s response.
“The Australians probably think the NRL competition is far superior to Super League,” he told BBC Sport.
“Whether they rate me or not I am not sure, but with a lot of the Australians they rate themselves very highly.
“I am not bothered or interested in what they say. If they want to have a crack then they can fire away.”
Sinfield became the fourth Englishman to claim the Golden Boot, and the first since Andy Farrell in 2004.
“I am surprised to win it and I feel very fortunate,” Sinfield told the Yorkshire Evening Post.
“I don’t pick the award. Like everything, people have an opinion.
“When do you ever have a 100 per cent winner?”
Back in pre-season training with Leeds, Sinfield will no doubt be looking to get the last laugh in the World Club Challenge (WCC) at home ground Headingley on February 22.
Sinfield led Leeds to a 26-12 triumph over Manly at last year’s WCC, sparking a big year for the 10-year Rhinos skipper.
He overcame a head knock to lead the Rhinos to their sixth Super League title in nine years while also collecting the man of the match award.
He also took Leeds to the Challenge Cup final at Wembley which they lost to Warrington.
However, eyebrows were raised over Sinfield’s international efforts last year which only featured Tests against France and Wales.
“If people are not happy about it, it is not my problem,” Sinfield said.
johnno8721
Guest
I wouldn't be so sure of that. My team Wigan went there last season with a really depleted squad and put 50 past them (at headingley). I have a sneaky feeling that Melbourne could do the same. Leeds have were pretty poor for the majority of last season and even last week they lost in round 2 of Super League to Castleford (who are a team who normally finish near the bottom of SL). Here is the highlights of the game I was talking about when Wigan put 50 past them http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXzeNJusx3Y Also watch out for some of the plays Sam Tomkins did in this game, Awesome!
Big Time
Guest
I did, I have seen plenty of him playing over the years too. As I said a good player, and apparently a top bloke. Definately not the best player in the world, or in England for that matter.
Damn Straight
Roar Rookie
Steve Menzies will be 39 this year...still playing for Catalan Dragons. What a trooper.
Dragoon
Guest
Of course Aussies rate themselves coz when the best of English Super League clubs played half the Australian NRL clubs in 1996, they got flogged and players retire from here and play on for years in Britain...
Renegade
Guest
Did you watch any games involving Kevin Sinfield this year?
KSI
Guest
Wigan beat Brisbane in 1994. It was a Wednesday night game in Brisbane. Brisbane played weekend before and after. 1997 the Broncos won the extended WCC and I think the put 90 points on one English team.
thomascrown
Guest
Oikee- He doesnt have the right to be cocky n arrogant cause hes proven so far that he is useless at the big stage n is the worst choker of all the poms. Never would you hear greats like Locky ect carry on like this dud does.
Big Time
Guest
I can see an Englishmen playing in the NRL getting the award from the Daily Telegragh (using your example). I think the fact is that Sinfield isn't even the best player in Super League. There are a few other players who I could stomach getting it over him. Fact is he is the "darling" of Super League and it is a PR stunt. Its got everyone talking so I suppose it has worked. Now every Aussie wants to see him get pumbled.
matt h
Guest
Of course the final say here is that the award is from an English magazine. Could you imagine the Daily Telegraph giving a world's best award to an Englishman? The surprise is that it has not happened more often.
matt h
Guest
I actually think they would win a fair few in the first weeks and tail off. Be lucky if one made the eight. similar to the Brincos back in the late 80's where their team full of origin stars looked the goods each year and ran out of steam as they were not sufficiently battle hardened across 24 rounds.
DubbleBubble
Guest
"Crazy'' Joe Divola to be the firebrand a la Mark Geyer.
Big Time
Guest
Regardless of the fact he is not even the best player in England. Surely the best player in the world would also have the honour of recieving the Super League player of the year?? This award is not for being a good bloke, a bloke that tries his best, this award is for being the Best Player in the World, which he is clearly not.
Damn Straight
Roar Rookie
Good points Mike, but Sinfield is no Lionel Messi. Messi is like Billy Slater, Cooper Cronk and Thurston all rolled into one. :)
mike
Guest
Damn straight, I agree with your analogy re: EPL & La liga but even though the EPL is the best league, La Liga has the best player in Messi. Likewise you could make an argument the NRL is the best comp but the worlds best player Sinfield is in Superleague. I think this award is thoroughly deserved as KS is an unbelievalbe player & great leader of men (IMO). Good luck to him
oikee
Guest
Ouch, who does not like Sam Tomkins. ? The guy oozes arrogance and has a right to, he is probably the most talented player super league has seen since Mal destroyed Wigan back in 84. He reminds me of Brett Mullins at the raiders, i think Tomkins is a little better.
thomascrown
Guest
The guy is useless at the international stage as well as that super overrated Sam Tomkins. I laughed when i saw a clip of him saying with a cocky attitude regarding the final of the 4nations that England were gonna win and it was especially funny that he was worst player in that game( sam tomkins)
Big Time
Guest
You think he would play in the halves hey. I was thinking more wing or possibly fullback. Newman would add some size to the pack. George a hard working Lock Forward, Kramer a livewire crazy 2nd Rower. He may be a bit too loose for the modern game. Maybe back in the 80's would have been his time. Elaine in the cheergirl outfit you think?
jdubya
Guest
Brett Finch? Oh, you have got to be kidding me. There goes any shred of credibility that Super League and Kevin Sinfeild may have had
Boris
Guest
Remember it fondly PS. And that was with half our best players not involved cause of the super league split.
Boris
Guest
That world club challenge featured all Aussie super league sides and all the English. If I remember correctly the Aussie teams won all but 5 of the 65 competition games. Even Adelaide Rams were dishing out punishment. For me it was great to demolish the English sides when half of our best players were not even involved as they were in the ARL comp.