It has been quite a season of rugby league even if at times, it seemed like the season was too long - elongated perhaps by the 2013 Rugby League World Cup at the end of the season.
Rugby league in 2013 was rejuvenated by its new multi-million dollar broadcasting deal with Fox Sports in Australia, and a rejuvenated ARL - there were plenty of new innovations with TV broadcasting including Thursday Night Football and a later State of Origin.
The shoulder charge said goodbye to rugby league - outlawed on the basis of medical specialists that it was causing harm to its players.
That change to the rules was the least popular with fans but they soon got over it as plenty of spectacular tries were scored over the season.
The NRL was once again tough from top to bottom. It seemed that the South Sydney Rabbitohs would finally end their long title drought only to fall at the final hurdle against Manly in the qualifying finals, leaving their much hated rivals, the Sydney Roosters to romp away to the title in a thrilling Grand Final against the experienced Sea Eagles.
Sonny Bill Williams was no doubt the comeback player of the year as he, along with Mitchell Pearce and new coach, Trent Robinson inspired the Roosters to their best season in years and a NRL Premiership.
He crowned his comeback by winning player of the year - a few days before his fellow Kiwis prepared to take on the Kangaroos in the Rugby League World Cup Grand Final. A shame he couldn't quite put the icing on a fantastic first season back in league with a World Cup triumph.
But you couldn't begrudge the Kangaroos their World Cup triumph - undoubtedly the best team at the World Cup. At last, legends like Billy Slater, Cameron Smith, Johnathan Thurston, etc. can finally add a World Cup medal to yet another State of Origin series win - Queensland's 8th in a row by the way.
The Rugby League World Cup this year was probably the best ever - a tournament so well organized and one that felt intimate, managed to help keep interest in the sport and gain the sport new fans at a time when it is competing hard with the other rugby code.
I guess since this is a New Zealand blog, I must quickly talk about the Warriors - it will be quick since well nuff has been said about them after another mediocre year.
Mind you it wasn't as bad as it seemed, with the Warriors pushing hard for the top 8 and like many, missing out in the end. It took a while for the team to figure out coach Matthew Elliott's methods but the signs are pretty promising and with England fullback James Tomkins set to feature for the Warriors next season, there is plenty for Penrose and New Zealand to look forward to.
Anyway, to the part everyone wants - the videos! But a final congratulations to the Sydney Roosters, Kangaroos and Maroons!!
Fight of the Year
Game of the Year
2013 Rugby League World Cup semifinal - England v New Zealand
NRL Grand Final was pretty good too.
Try of the Year
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck try v England
Other top tries from the year gone by..
Player of the Year
Sonny Bill Williams
Bring on 2014!!
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