World News – UK – Castleford Tigers’ hooker Paul McShane wins Steve Prescott Man of Steel

The influential hooker, 31, beat competition from Wigan Warriors duo Bevan French and Liam Farrell, the Huddersfield Giants captain, Aidan Sezer and St. Helens’ full-back Lachlan Coote takes the highest individual award in the game.

It was a surprise decision as Castleford finished eighth outside the play-offs and only won two games since the sport resumed after being suspended in August.

Even so, Leeds-born McShane has played for the Tigers consistently, often carrying his side in times of need and also playing in half when their injury problems arose.

Before Coronavirus closed the rugby league, it topped the Man of Steel rankings, with Castleford topping the list in second place.

Ex-hooker from Leeds Rhinos and Wakefield Trinity was second behind Australian scrum half Sezer when the vote went private last month, but he emerged victorious.

Ellery Hanley MBE, chairman of Steve Prescott MBE Man of Steel, stated, “The award goes to Paul McShane, rightly, for appearing in every game he plays.

“This is a man who wears his badge of honor in every action he takes on the rugby league field.

« You only have to be in his company for three minutes to find out what a gentleman and first-class person he is.

McShane’s award continues Castleford’s formidable form when it comes to the man of steel. After Adrian Vowles (1999), Rangi Chase (2011), Daryl Clark (2014) and Luke Gale (2017) he is the fifth player for the West Yorkshire Club. .

Leeds Rhinos’ Harry Newman was named Super League Young Player of the Year, while Wigan’s Adrian Lam – whose team will face Saints in the Grand Final on Friday – was named Coach of the Year.

Huddersfield striker Michael Lawrence was the top tackler at 749 (44 ahead of closest rival), while Leeds Rhinos winger Ash Handley won the top scorer at 14.

The Spirit of Super League Award – presented to those who make a significant contribution to off-field sport – was jointly won by Rob Burrow and Mose Masoe.

With the 2020 campaign disrupted by Covid-19, some changes had to be made to the Man of Steel judging process during the season.

The selection of the winner had advantages and disadvantages, either based on points accumulated or on the average of points per game as introduced in October.

The total points accumulated clearly favored those whose team had played more games over the course of 2020, while an average format with points per game might favor those whose team had played fewer games.

Without completing the full 22 rounds of the regular season, there were further disagreements regarding the opposition.

For example, if a player has played twice against teams in the lower half of the table, but only once against teams in the top four tables, an advantage is perceived.

For these reasons, the Man of Steel competitors, who ranked the same five players in both scenarios (total points and points per game), went to Hanley for a final review.

Single player stats throughout the season were included in the report presented to the former Great Britain captain who was still the only player to win Man of Steel three times – 1985, 1987 and 1989.

Man of Steel Awards, Super League, Castleford Tigers, Paul McShane, Rugby League, Wigan Warriors, Steve Prescott, Leeds Rhinos, Mose Masoe