In late 2007, the Australian Rugby League and National Rugby League commissioned a college of 130 experts to select the 100 best rugby league players in the game's 100-year history in Australia. The list was released in February 2008.
From this list a "Team of the Century" was selected – a team of 17 Australian players considered to be the best of all time in each position (plus four interchange/reserves and a coach). This illustrious line-up was announced in Sydney on 17 April 2008.
Team of the Century
| No. |
Name |
Position |
Clubs |
State |
Era |
Highest representative honours
|
| 1. |
Clive Churchill |
|
Fullback |
Central Newcastle, South Sydney,
Brisbane Norths |
NSW |
1946–61 |
37 Test & World Cup matches
24 as captain
|
| 2. |
Brian Bevan |
|
Wing |
Eastern Suburbs, Warrington, Blackpool Borough |
NSW |
1942-1964 |
16 matches for Other Nationalities
|
| 3. |
Reg Gasnier |
|
Centre |
St George |
NSW |
1957–69 |
39 Test & World Cup matches
8 as captain
|
| 4. |
Mal Meninga |
|
Centre |
Souths Brisbane, St. Helens, Canberra Raiders |
QLD |
1978–94 |
46 Test & World Cup matches
23 as captain
|
| 5. |
Ken Irvine |
|
Wing |
North Sydney, Manly-Warringah |
NSW |
1958–73 |
35 Test matches
|
| 6. |
Wally Lewis |
|
Five-eighth |
Brisbane Valleys, Wakefield Trinity, Wynnum-Manly,
Brisbane Broncos, Gold Coast Seagulls |
QLD |
1978–92 |
34 Test & World Cup matches
24 as captain
|
| 7. |
Andrew Johns |
|
Halfback |
Newcastle, Warrington |
NSW |
1993–2007 |
27 Test & World Cup matches
2 as captain
|
| 8. |
Arthur Beetson |
|
Prop |
Roma Cities, Redcliffe, Balmain,
Eastern Suburbs, Parramatta, Hull Kingston Rovers |
QLD |
1963–80 |
28 Test & World Cup matches
8 as captain
|
| 9. |
Noel Kelly |
|
Hooker |
Ipswich Brothers, Ayr
Western Suburbs, Wollongong |
QLD |
1958–70 |
25 Test & World Cup matches
|
| 10. |
Duncan Hall |
|
Prop |
Brisbane Valleys, Newtown Toowoomba
Home Hill, Brisbane Wests |
QLD |
1948–57 |
22 Test matches
|
| 11. |
Norm Provan |
|
Second-row |
St George |
NSW |
1951–65 |
25 Test & World Cup matches
|
| 12. |
Ron Coote |
|
Second-row |
South Sydney, Eastern Suburbs |
NSW |
1964–78 |
23 Test & World Cup matches
3 as captain
|
| 13. |
Johnny Raper |
|
Lock |
Newtown, St George, Wests Newcastle,
Kurri Kurri |
NSW |
1957–69 |
39 Test & World Cup matches
8 as captain
|
| 14. |
Graeme Langlands |
|
Interchange |
Wollongong, St George |
NSW |
1959–76 |
45 Test & World Cup matches
15 as captain
|
| 15. |
Dally Messenger |
|
Interchange |
Eastern Suburbs |
NSW |
1908–13 |
7 Test matches
3 as captain
|
| 16. |
Bob Fulton |
|
Interchange |
Wests Wollongong, Manly-Warringah, Eastern Suburbs |
NSW |
1966–79 |
35 Test & World Cup matches
7 as captain
|
| 17. |
Frank Burge |
|
Interchange |
Glebe, Grenfell, St George |
NSW |
1911–27 |
13 Test matches
|
| – |
Jack Gibson |
|
Coach |
Eastern Suburbs, St George, Newtown
South Sydney, Parramatta, Cronulla-Sutherland |
NSW |
1967–87 |
6 State of Origin matches
|