Rugby League World Cup 2013: Top Candidates for Player of the Tournament
Nov 30, 2013
This year's Rugby League World Cup called together 14 of the sport's best and brightest nations, with more than 300 players taking to Europe in an attempt to inspire their teams to glory.
Five weeks later, only Australia and New Zealand remain in with a chance of taking home the main prize at stake, but that doesn't mean all the silverware is accounted for.
Some stars have gone above and beyond over the last five weeks, dazzling more than others, whether it be as a result of their scoring exploits, staunch defence or precise playmaking.
Although Saturday's Old Trafford final promises to influence who comes out on top of the poll, the following candidates can all be considered for the Player of the Tournament award based on their fine work thus far in the competition.
Johnathan Thurston
One of those players whose leadership values will undoubtedly make him a contender for Man of the Match in Saturday's climax should Australia emerge victorious is the evergreen Johnathan Thurston.
Thurston is one of the survivors from the Kangaroos' unsuccessful campaign five years ago and is well on his way to making up for past mistakes, currently averaging 20 points per game.
One of the premier stand-offs in the tournament, a lot of the veteran's success this weekend will rest on whether or not Thurston manages to get the beating of his opposite number Shaun Johnson.
With 60 points to his name already, Thurston has been as reliable as ever from the boot but has also been the attacking catalyst that Australia have needed in midfield, combining his playmaking abilities with some staunch defensive prowess to be one of the competition's biggest attractions.
Sonny Bill Williams
Having just been named International Rugby League Player of the Year, Sonny Bill Williams will head into Saturday's final with as much motivation to go above and beyond this weekend as anyone on the field.
In the last five weeks, the Sydney Roosters star hasn't crossed over the whitewash as often as some of those around him, but it's because of Williams' tireless work in taking the ball up that his teammates prosper.
As far as flash goes, there's few in the business who could claim to possess as much potential to make something out of nothing as the former All Black, as has been shown magnificently of late.
Williams now needs to continue doing what he's done all season, but more of a defensive effort is likely to be required if the Kangaroos' tide is to be restricted.
Greg Inglis
Thurston's partner in crime when both are playing in their preferred positions, Greg Inglis has been one of the most prominent members of Australia's Rugby League World Cup in recent weeks, even filling in at full-back in the absence of Billy Slater when needed.
One of the most talented NRL stars in this year's competition, Inglis may have only two tries to his name from his last four international outings, but is a candidate for end-of-tournament honours thanks to his ability to raise the prospects of those around him.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWRuK-9tGcE
Like Williams, the 26-year-old has been the launching platform for his side in midfield, albeit doing so with slightly more finesse and technical edge than his Kiwis counterpart.
Having been rested for the encounter with Ireland, Inglis has been present for his nation's most important fixtures, showing his destructive potential against England at the Millennium Stadium, where it was his work in the centre that set the standard for a Kangaroos win.
Rugby League World Cup 2013 Final: Preview for Australia vs. New Zealand
Nov 24, 2013
In a repeat of 2008's Rugby League World Cup final, Australia and New Zealand will once again meet at the closing stage of this year's tournament as the Southern Hemisphere teams keep their grasp of the sport.
Holders New Zealand squeezed by England at Wembley on Saturday thanks to some Shaun Johnson magic in the dying embers of their capital clash, while the Kangaroos' semi-final thumping of Fiji was a far less laboured affair.
Heading into Saturday's competition climax at Old Trafford, read on for a preview of what promises to be an Old Trafford clash to remember from two giants south of the equator.
Australia Player to Watch: Jarryd Hayne
Having scored a hat-trick in the 64-0 demolition of Fiji, Jarryd Hayne is a man in form at the moment and will be hoping to make the difference again this weekend when even more is on the line.
With those three scores, the 25-year-old has crept into the lead as the tournament's top try scorer and will once again shoulder much of the attacking responsibility for the Aussies.
Dean Whare and Bryson Goodwin will be the two tasked with ensuring Hayne's impact is minimal, but the New Zealand centre partnership did show signs of weakness against England over the weekend.
Hayne's combination of fleet evasion tactics and crash ball capability promise to cause issues for any side when utilised properly and the 25-year-old will most definitely rank among New Zealand's biggest concerns.
New Zealand Player to Watch: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
No player has scored more tries for the Kiwis this year than Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who crossed over twice at Wembley on Saturday to keep his New Zealand side in the mix against Steve McNamara's England.
Though this year' Rugby League World Cup is flooded with fine wing talents, the Sydney Rooster starlet ranks among the best already and is still just 20 years of age.
Noted as much for his flair as anything else, the Kangaroos defence will know all too quickly Tuivasa-Sheck's sting if they choose to give him the space, but one might doubt that the Australians will open up as easily as any other team the Kiwis have beaten thus far.
