The Rugby League International Federation has recognised Storm star Cameron Smith's incredible 2012 campaign, naming the NRL premiership captain the international player and hooker of the year.
Smith, who captained the Storm to a 14-4 grand final victory over minor premier Canterbury late last month, also guided Queensland to an unprecedented seventh straight State of Origin series win.
He was also at the helm as Australia beat New Zealand in two Tests, most recently last Saturday night in Townsville.
While team-mate Billy Slater has won the honour before, in 2008 and 2011, this is the first time Smith has been awarded the game's top individual prize.
Smith was not the only Storm star to be honoured by the RLIF; mentor Craig Bellamy was named international coach of the year while team-mate and Clive Churchill medallist Cooper Cronk got the nod as the world's best half-back.
And Melbourne winger Sisa Waqa capped off his own memorable campaign by being honoured as Fijian international player of the year.
The Bulldogs' import prop James Graham and fellow Englishman Ryan Hall were the only non-Australian players to be named in the team of the year.
Tags: rugby-league, nrl, sport, melbourne-3000, vic, australia First posted October 17, 2012 16:45:27
A journey across several continents to reveal some of the more intimate moments of rugby league - from inebriated coach trips to France to weird experiences in the forests of Papua New Guinea. The book draws on diverse travellers' tales from respected writers on rugby league.