They came, they saw, they conquered, and as a result, 10 Kangaroos found themselves in NRL.com's Four Nations team of the tournament.
1. Darius Boyd (Australia)
Confirmed his status as the premier ball-playing fullback in the game with a standout performance in the Four Nations final, setting up the first two tries and then putting the game beyond doubt with a four-pointer of his own.
2. Jermaine McGillvary (England)
The England winger crossed in all three of his side's matches, averaged a touch over 120 metres per game and outshone his more-fancied teammate Ryan Hall on the other flank.
3. Greg Inglis (Australia)
Didn't play against Scotland but still finished the tournament with nine tackle breaks, 381 metres and a try that took his international tally to 31 – just four shy of Darren Lockyer's Australian record.
4. Josh Dugan (Australia)
Justified his pre-tournament selection with several impressive showings at centre. Scored a try in every game he played – including a double in the final – and developed threatening combinations with Cooper Cronk and Blake Ferguson.
5. Blake Ferguson (Australia)
Must have gone very close to being named player of the tournament after a breakout month in the UK. Ferguson scored the Kangaroos' first try in all four matches and finished the Four Nations with a tournament-high 767 running metres.
6. Danny Brough (Scotland)
Scotland's pocket rocket quickly became everyone's second-favourite player on the back of several high-octane performances. The five-eighth set up two tries, kicked a 40/20 and nailed a clutch conversion to secure the famous 18-all draw against the Kiwis.
7. Cooper Cronk (captain, Kangaroos)
The Kangaroos halfback added a Four Nations player of the tournament award to his already incredible 2016 CV that includes co-winning the Dally M, State of Origin success and a grand final appearance. Cronk scored twice and set up another try in his three appearances and orchestrated Australia's attack down the right.
8. Jesse Bromwich (New Zealand)
The Kiwis skipper lead from the front with a team-high 644 metres and also averaged 30 tackles throughout the Four Nations to justify his billing as the best prop forward in the game.
9. Cameron Smith (Australia)
Any team with Cameron Smith in it is bound to do well, and this tournament didn't disappoint. The Kangaroos skipper set up three tries and got through his usual mountain of work in defence. Deservedly, he earned a rare early mark against the Bravehearts.
10. James Graham (England)
The Bulldogs skipper missed the Scotland game through injury, but his numbers in the other two matches earned him team-of-the-tournament status. He opened his campaign with 206 metres and 36 tackles against the Kiwis and backed it up with 126 metres and 36 more tackles against the Kangaroos.
11. Boyd Cordner (Australia)
There are a lot of people calling for Cordner to be the new Blues skipper for the 2017 State of Origin series, and if his performances in the UK are anything to go by he is well on track. Hauls of 166, 162 and 114 metres made him one of the most productive back-rowers in the game, and he capped off a dream tournament with a try in the final.
12. Tohu Harris (New Zealand)
The workhorse Kiwi averaged over 120 metres per game – including 129 in the unfamiliar No.6 jersey – and also churned out 144 tackles from his four appearances. Not a bad effort considering New Zealand rarely ventured to their left edge.
13. Trent Merrin (Australia)
The Panthers lock forward will be hard to ignore when the Blues team is announced next year after an outstanding 2016 campaign. Merrin averaged 120 metres despite playing only around 40 minutes per game and barged over for a try in the final.
Interchange:
14. Adam Walker (Scotland)
Walker's in! The Scottish big man earned plenty of respect after finishing each of his three matches as his side's leading metre-eater in the forwards, including an impressive 146 against the Kiwis.
15. Jordan Kahu (New Zealand)
It's never easy trying to replace someone as good as Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, especially when you're not your club's first-choice fullback. But Jordan Kahu made the most of his opportunities for the Kiwis, setting up a try in the win over England and crossing for New Zealand's only two tries in the final.
16. David Klemmer (Australia)
David Klemmer shone at the Four Nations, amassing a whopping 688 metres despite averaging roughly 40 minutes per game. His impact off the bench ensured opposition defences couldn't rest easy when the starting front row came off.
17. Aaron Woods (Australia)
It seems wherever David Klemmer goes, Aaron Woods must follow. The Wests Tigers skipper averaged 150 metres per game and was responsible for getting the Kangaroos on the front foot in each of his four appearances.
This article first appeared on NRL.com
