The Rugby League International Federation has recognised all of the very special players who have made 50 or more international appearances in their career.
RLIF Chairman, John Grant, presented the golden caps at a celebration dinner held at Elland Road, Leeds on Wednesday November 7.
Grant is a former Kangaroo player who played in the 1972 World Cup Final and fully appreciates the special qualities required to achieve such a milestone.
He spoke to media before the presentation that also announced this year’s Golden Boot winners in both the Men’s (Read: Makinson a surprise winner of the Golden Boot) and Women’s (Read: Kelly honour to create Golden Boot history) categories.
“We are honouring seven players who have reached the magical number of 50 international appearances in their career,” Grant said.
"Rugby league is a tough sport as we all know, and to collect together 50 or more appearances is a remarkable achievement and as the chair of the RLIF, it is a pleasure to be able to recognise those wonderful players with the award of a golden cap.
"I look forward to this number growing as more players get more opportunities to play more international rugby league.”
The recipients of the caps are:
- Jim Sullivan: 1921 - 1934, 54 internationals – Wales, England and GB
- Mick Sullivan: 1954 - 1962, 50 internationals – England and GB
- Ruben Wiki: 1994 - 2006, 55 internationals – New Zealand
- Adrian Morley: 1996 - 2012, 53 internationals – England and GB
- Darren Lockyer: 1997 - 2011, 59 internationals – Australia
- Petero Civoniceva: 2001 - 2014, 51 internationals – Australia and Fiji
- Cameron Smith: 2006 - 2017, 56 internationals – Australia
Adrian Morley, former England and Great Britain star, who will attend the dinner to collect his golden cap, is happy to be in such great company saying
“It was a great feeling to represent my country on one occasion. It is an immense honour to have been able to do that 53 times and now to have this recognised by the rugby league world with a special golden cap is so flattering.”
“The honour is only made bigger by the great players that I am alongside.”
Golden Caps
*This article and video first appeared on the Rugby League International Federation website
