St Helens forward James Graham, Super League's Man of Steel, was named as prop in the team of the year, while Leeds' departing forward Gareth Ellis shared the award for second-rower of the year with the Kangaroos' Anthony Laffranchi.

Graham lost out to Melbourne Storm's Australian full-back Billy Slater as the first winner of the RLIF player of the year at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium.

Slater, who has scored two hat-tricks in the World Cup, joins six other Kangaroos and a solitary New Zealander in the team of the year chosen for achievements between mid-October 2007 and mid-October 2008. Current World Cup performances will count towards next year's awards.

Graham's England team-mates Leon Pryce, Rob Burrow and Jamie Peacock were also short-listed for the prestigious award.