Giants in dreamland with their nap hand

The League Leaders’ Shield winners were rightly heavily represented in the mythical side yesterday which is selected by a panel of the sport’s broadcasters and journalists as the form team of the Super League campaign.

Influential captain Danny Brough, prop Eorl Crabtree, outstanding hooker Shaun Lunt, prolific centre Leroy Cudjoe and long-striding second-row Brett Ferres all gained their first inclusions.

Huddersfield, who finished top for the first time in 81 years, host Wigan Warriors in a qualifying play-off on Thursday night where victory would see them go to within just 80 minutes of a maiden Grand Final.

Gaining such credit yesterday was also justification of the work Anderson has done in his first season in charge but he said: “It’s recognition of consistency, that’s the key. If you look at them they’ve all played well all year,

“It’s a good sign for the team and it’s a good sign of where we’ve come.

“It’s not that they’ve just had a real good last couple of months at the back end of the season as that’s all that people remember, isn’t it?

“I remember Leroy and Lunty in round one killed it at St Helens, didn’t they?

“And so did Brett Ferres. Eorl, too, and Broughy and they all have been doing it all year.

“It’s been massive for us they’ve shown that consistency along with all the rest of the boys around them.

“They’re the fortunate five and I’m sure we could argue for a few more as well.”

For the first time in its 18-year history, the XIII was comprised completely of Englishmen, which certainly bodes well ahead of the World Cup.

It also proves that the competition’s aim of weaning itself off overseas players – as well as better advancing home-grown talent – is clearly working.

To illustrate the point, the 2001 Dream Team contained only a meagre four England players plus Wales hooker Keiron Cunningham and Ireland prop Terry O’Connor so progress has obviously been made.

When asked if he expected all five of his players to feature in the World Cup later this autumn, Anderson responded: “From a selfish point of view ‘no’as I want them to see them training.

“Obviously, I’d like to see Eorl and Brett and Leroy in the England side while Lunty’s selection in this Dream Team shows he’s been consistent all year and he’s played all year, too.

“Obviously, Broughy’s Scottish now so he’s going to be playing for them.”

Dewsbury-born stand-off Brough, of course, pulled out of England contention earlier this year after a fall-out with national coach Steve McNamara and will instead return to the colours of Scotland, whom he led in the 2008 World Cup.

When it comes to the Dream Team, Yorkshire itself has enjoyed its best return in four years with its clubs contributing nine players.

As well as that Huddersfield quintet, Hull FC saw their prolific right wing/centre partnership of Tom Lineham and Ben Crooks get the nod – the latter is the youngest picked at only 20 – while Wakefield Trinity Wildcats’ inspirational captain Danny Kirmond is the only player named who is not involved in the forthcoming play-offs.

Former England captain Jamie Peacock, 35, is champions Leeds Rhinos’ sole representative following an exceptional year at Headingley which sees him in the running with Brough for the coveted Man of Steel award.

The highly-decorated prop had not been selected in a Dream Team since 2009 but his inclusion yesterday sees him now make a record ninth inclusion in exulted company.

Meanwhile, the Yorkshire Post understands the process surrounding naming the Man of Steel – the prestigious award for the player who has had the biggest impact on the Super League season – will be overseen by a newly-formed panel this term.

Players have each voted for their choice but a panel including a former Man of Steel winner, a member of both the written and broadcast media, one retired player and two current players will be given the chance to ensure a worthy recipient is decreed.

Super League Dream Team: Tomkins (Wigan), Charnley (Wigan), Cudjoe (Huddersfield), Crooks (Hull FC), Lineham (Hull FC), Brough (Huddersfield), Smith (Wigan), Peacock (Leeds), Lunt (Huddersfield), Crabtree (Huddersfield), Ferres (Huddersfield), Kirmond (Wakefield), O’Loughlin (Wigan).

Hull FC owner Adam Pearson has confirmed the club have signed Castleford Tigers utility player Jordan Thompson for next season.