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International greats identified for Hall of Legends consideration
An exhaustive process is underway to identify 40 of the greatest international rugby league players as inaugural inductees into the International Rugby League Hall of Legends (HoL) during Rugby League World Cup 2026.
More than 200 candidates have been identified for consideration across three categories:
- Pre-1954 Men
- Post-1954 Men
- Women's players
The list of nominees includes famous names from the origins of international rugby league such as Dally Messenger and Harold Wagstaff to legendary French fullback Puig Aubert, the 14 Immortals and stars of the modern era such as Darren Lockyer, Cameron Smith, Johnathan Thurston, Adrian Morley and Stacey Jones.
A total of 40 players will be selected for the inaugural International Rugby League Hall of Legends induction, comprising of:
- 10 (ten) Men's players who began their international careers before the inaugural Rugby League World Cup in 1954;
- 24 (twenty-four) men’s players who first represented their country during or after the 1954 World Cup, hosted by France, and;
- 6 (six) women’s players.
A committee of esteemed Rugby League coaches, players, administrators, journalists and commentators from across the world has been assembled to help select the game’s greatest international players.
From the 240 candidates, a short list of IRL HoF Nominees will be determined by the Committee before the final nominees list goes before an IRL Induction Panel to be voted for Induction into the International Rugby League Hall of Legends.
To be considered, Inductees will have:
- Made a significant contribution to International Rugby League and/or
- Be a Member of their Nation’s Hall of Fame or equivalent recognition, and/or
- Played a minimum of 5 (five) Tests, and/or
- Been awarded an IRL Golden Cap (50 Tests) and/or
- Won the IRL Golden Boot/RLIF International Player-of-the-Year award.
In addition, the more recently established Rugby League nations whose men's teams have qualified for IRL Rugby League World Cup 2026 have been asked to nominate their Top 3 greatest players for consideration to be added to the list of HoL Nominees.
IRL Chair Troy Grant said: “The candidates that have been assembled for consideration as the Inaugural inductees into our Hall of Legends is simply unbelievable. We won’t be able to induct everyone at once, but inductions will be ongoing and celebrated at each Rugby League World Cup.”
Mr Grant said he expected the IRL Hall of Legends initiative would generate some heated debate but the Class of 2026 inductees would be those considered the most worthy under the criteria established for IRL HoL.
“It’s important to recognise that Inductees will be chosen relative to the contribution made to the International game within the criteria set,” he said.
“Their Premiership and other representative contributions to the game such as State of Origin or other playing achievements are appropriately recognised in other forums such as the Hall of Fame of their National Federation.
“On behalf of International Rugby League I would like to thank renowned Rugby League historian and stats guru David Middleton, IRL media manager Brad Walter and other members of the game’s heritage committees for their work in identifying and compiling the list of candidates.”
The best Wheelchair Rugby League players will be considered for selection in the next induction during Rugby League World Cup 2030 as the IRL Hall of Legends acknowledges and recognises every discipline of the international game. This will enable the Wheelchair game to mature and grow the pool of candidates.