Churchill, Coote, Gibson Australian Team of the Century Selections
16th April 2008
Rugby League's team of the Century has been named tonight at the ARL Hall of Fame Ball. ARL chairman Colin Love has walked podium at the Royal Hall of Industries, open an envelope and read out rugby league's team of the century. The Team of the Century ranks as the most ambitious selection exercise ever tackled in a game that has revelled for 100 years in robust discussion about the respective merits of players.
The 30 judges who picked the team we're unaware of the outcome of their work. The judges left the meeting room at Circular Quay on December 10 last year having no idea of the team they had collectively selected. Each voted independently, in booths, after four hours of discussion - and then wrote on three separate sheets their 17 players (team, plus a four-man bench); the top four players in each position, in order (top six for double positions, such as wingers or props); and their top 10 players of all time, also in order.
Clive Churchill (Fullback), Ron Coote(Second Row) and Jack Gibson(Coach) from the South Sydney club have been named in the Australian Rugby League Team of the Century.
The final selected Australian Rugby League Team of the Century is
Flbk - Clive Churchill Wing - Brian Bevan Cntr - Reg Gasnier Cntr - Mal Meninga Wing - Ken Irvine 5/8 - Wally Lewis Half - Andrew Johns Prop - Arthur Beetson Hook - Noel Kelly Prop - Duncan Hall SRow - Norm Provan SRow - Ron Coote Lock - Johnny Raper Res - Graeme langlands Res - Dally Messenger Res - Bob Fulton Res - Frank Burge Coach - Jack Gibson