2014 was a season of redemption for New Zealand rugby league following the disappointment and scandal surrounding the Kiwis' World Cup defence the year before.
Indeed, it was a stunning turnaround for the Kiwis as the young rising stars of Peta Hiku, Kevin Proctor, Jason Taumololo and Dean Whare carried their stellar form from the NRL into the 4 Nations, taking advantage of a Kangaroos side in transition, yet strong as ever to deservedly win the 4 Nations.
The fact that the Kangaroos were missing Johnathan Thurston, the best player in the world, should not take away anything from Stephen Kearney's achievements this season which were capped off with a stunning performance in the Final in Wellington.
The Kiwi forwards were more powerful than their Aussie counterparts in the last two tests against their trans-Tasman counterparts and their backs led by Shaun Johnson made the most of the space created by their powerful forwards.
Shaun Johnson continues to show his talent, as he finished the year strongly - can he finally translate his talent on a more consistent basis and lead the Warriors to the Grand Final - to be fair, after the mid-season coach change, the Warriors did much better than anyone expected and the future is bright under coach, Andrew McFadden, especially if they could nail the signing of one of the form players of the season, Kieran Foran from Manly.
Were it not for Dale Cherry-Evans' heroics for Manly this season, Shaun Johnson would have been one of the halfbacks of the season particularly on the back of his efforts in black.
As for the NRL, they got the finish they wanted - an all-Sydney final and a win to the most famous name in the game. The Rabbitohs have been through a traumatic last 40 years, almost going extinct, but thanks to the efforts of Russell Crowe, Michael Macguire, player of the year, Sam Burgess and his star-studded teammates, the green and red are back where they belong.
Greg Inglis' late try was the icing on the cake for the thousands of Bunnies fans worldwide, completing the most remarkable Lazarus story in Australian sport.
It was a good year for New South Wales, as they finally ended a 8-year-hoodoo in State of Origin to the northerners, triumphing in an epic 2nd game in Sydney, 6-4 for their first series win since 2005. The Blues played a hard-nosed brand of code with their victories in the 1st 2 games all hard-earned, but they couldn't quite contain the Maroons at home in Brisbane who thumped the Blues in the dead rubber 3rd game.
It was a good year for New South Wales, as they finally ended a 8-year-hoodoo in State of Origin to the northerners, triumphing in an epic 2nd game in Sydney, 6-4 for their first series win since 2005. The Blues played a hard-nosed brand of code with their victories in the 1st 2 games all hard-earned, but they couldn't quite contain the Maroons at home in Brisbane who thumped the Blues in the dead rubber 3rd game.
All in all, a fine year for rugby league which continues to rise following a successful World Cup last year. While the loss of its stars, Sam Burgess and Sonny Bill Williams to rugby union, and Dally M winner, Jarryd Hayne to (?) NFL was unfortunate, there are definitely plenty of stars in the game who can take their place - and for once, they don't have to be Aussie, with the Brits and Kiwis starting to show they can be the best in the game.
1.Jarryd Hayne, Eels
2.Semi Radradra, Eels
3.Dylan Walker, Rabbitohs
4.Jamie Lyon, Sea Eagles
5.Josh Mansour, Panthers
6.Johnathan Thurston, Cowboys
7.Dale Cherry-Evans, Sea Eagles
8.Jesse Bromwich, Storm
9.James Segeyaro, Panthers
10.James Graham, Bulldogs
11.Beau Scott, Knights
12.Simon Mannering, Warriors
13.Sam Burgess, Rabbitohs
Game of the Year -
Try of the Year -
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