Damaging Manly Warringah Sea Eagles second-rower Haumole Olakau'atu has been named in The Players’ Dream Team for 2023.
The Rugby League Players Association (RLPA) has announced the team of the best 13 players by their positions, as voted by the players.
The 2023 Players’ Dream Team
Fullback: Reece Walsh
Wingers: Dallin Watene-Zelezniak & Brian To’o
Centres: Herbie Farnworth & Stephen Crichton
Five-Eighth: Cameron Munster
Halfback: Shaun Johnson
Props: Payne Haas & Addin Fonua-Blake
Hooker: Harry Grant
Second Rowers: Haumole Olakau'atu & Liam Martin
Lock: Patrick Carrigan
Melbourne Storm five-eighth Cameron Munster now joins James Tedesco with the most appearances in the Players’ Dream Team, with the pair having been voted as the best players in their respective positions four times.
Munster was also voted into the Dream Team by his peers in 2018, 2019, and 2022.
Payne Haas now joins Nathan Cleary and Cameron Smith on three appearances with his selection in 2023. He also becomes the first middle forward to be selected for the Dream Team three times
It’s also a year for debutants on the 2023 Dream Team with 10 players being voted the best in their position for the first time – Reece Walsh, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Herbie Farnworth, Stephen Crichton, Shaun Johnson, Addin Fonua-Blake, Harry Grant, Haumole Olakau'atu, Liam Martin, and Patrick Carrigan.
Brian To’o returns to the Dream Team for a second year after his first selection in 2021.
The year’s Dream Team is represented by five clubs, with the Brisbane Broncos featuring the most players (4), followed by the Penrith Panthers and New Zealand Warriors (3), Melbourne Storm (2) and the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles (1).
Clint Newton, the CEO of the RLPA, praised the 13 players from the NRL who were chosen by their fellow players to feature in the 2023 Players’ Dream Team:
“On behalf of the RLPA, I would like to congratulate the 13 outstanding NRL players who have been recognised by their peers as the best of the best in the 2023 season,'' Newton said.
"This prestigious honour of being voted by your fellow players signifies each of the 13’s exceptional skill, determination and commitment to their
teams, fans and individual high-performance standards through 2023.
“We are immensely proud of our players' achievements on and off the field. The players have consistently displayed remarkable talent and sportsmanship, and their selection to the Players’ Dream Team is a testament to their efforts and weekly contributions.
"The Players' Awards symbolise the convergence of fierce rivalries tempered by mutual respect. While players engage in intense battles on the field, they share a profound and authentic admiration for one another. They recognise, as do we, that rugby league is the most demanding sport on the planet, a reality they confront
every single day.
"Given the exceptional talent playing in the NRL, the task of selecting the top 13 players was undoubtedly a tough one for the players.
"The RLPA congratulates all 13 players who have been voted to the Dream Team by their fellow players. It stands as a tribute to receive such recognition from one's peers and to be designated as the premier player in their respective NRL positions for that season."
How The Players’ Dream Team voting works:
● Players are eligible for selection in a position they primarily played for the relevant season. This means
a player cannot be eligible for selection in more than one position.
● Each player will be able to nominate a maximum of one player per position, out of the list of eligible
players, however, are not able to vote for players on their current team.
● The player with the highest point total for each individual position will be selected in the Dream Team.
● Voting is open to all contracted NRL players.
The Players’ Awards schedule announced on Channel 9:
● September 21: Players’ Champion Finalists (NRL & NRLW)
● September 24: Players’ Rookie of the Year (NRL & NRLW)
● September 28: Players’ Dream Team (NRLW)
● October 1: The Players’ Champion (NRL & NRLW)
