6 Tackles: Props of 2013
Unlike this time last year, Burgess no longer needs an introduction. All four of the Burgess brothers made history this year, but it was twin George who stole most of the headlines by deservedly winning the NRL Rookie of the Year award, before being called up alongside Tom and Sam to the England World Cup squad.
At times in 2013 Fifita was simply unplayable. In June his performances were rewarded with a debut for New South Wales, before he was selected by Australia to go to the World Cup, where he managed 24 tackle busts and made a total of 711 metres.
Graham had another outstanding year for his club side Canterbury, winning their 2013 Player of the Year award. When the NRL season ended he came back to England to take part in the World Cup, and proved his ability with some massive performances, especially in the defeat to New Zealand.
Scott is one of the toughest players in the sport, both physically and mentally, as he showed when his mother died during the 2012 State of Origin series. In 2013 he went about his work with the usual consistency, and in the World Cup he led by example as Australia‘s key prop.
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
The form of the Sydney Roosters giant made him key to their NRL winning team, and it was also enough to earn his New Zealand shirt back. In both packs Sonny Bill Williams took the limelight but it was Waerea-Hargreaves who provided most of the middle third firepower.
Former Student Player of the Year Walmsley made the promotion to Super League look easy, as he stepped into St Helens‘ front row as though he had been there for years. Overall he made 28 appearances, scoring four tries, and he will prove stiff competition for new signings Kyle Amor and Mose Masoe in 2014.
