The key part is "international".

but surely to be the best internationally is also to be the best here?

Rugby League International Federation awards

Player of the Year: Jarryd Hayne (Parramatta and Australia)

Rookie of the Year: Ryan Hall (Leeds and England)

Referee of the Year: Shayne Hayne (Australia)

Team of the Year: Full-back: Jarryd Hayne (Parramatta and Australia); winger: Ryan Hall (Leeds and England); centre: Greg Inglis (Melbourne and Australia); stand-off: Benji Marshall (Wests Tigers and New Zealand); scrum-half: Jonathan Thurston (North Queensland and Australia); prop: Fuifui Moimoi (Parramatta and New Zealand); hooker: Cameron Smith (Melbourne and Australia); second row: Gareth Ellis (Wests Tigers and England); loose forward: Kevin Sinfield (Leeds and England)

Coach of the Year: Craig Bellamy (Melbourne and NSW).

Selected nations' Player of the Year: France: Olivier Elima; Ireland: Damien Blanch; PNG: David Mead; Samoa: Kylie Leuluai; Scotland: Iain Morrison; Tonga: Richard Fa'aoso; Wales: Jordan James

RLIF Spirit of Rugby League Award: Ken Arthurson

Scary thing is that every couple of years or so, we see the 'next big thing' emerge in the Ockers backline, only to somewhat fade away and make way for another wonderkid to threaten the records at a frighteningly young age. Bit like a biennial cycle, whereas we've only just seen the emergence of a new generation of three quarters, even halfbacks, in the England squad.

That's not a team, though.