Full team and statistics at bottom of the article
A HUMBLED Andrew Johns declared his selection meant the game had forgiven him, while Mal Meninga was just shocked to have been named ahead of Immortals Bob Fulton and Graeme Langlands in the rugby league Team of the Century last night -
Meninga's selection was the biggest surprise when the 17-man line-up, containing all seven Immortals and 15 of the 36 players inducted into the Australian Rugby League Hall of Fame, was unveiled at the Centenary Ball to mark 100 years since the premiership began on April 20, 1908.
As Meninga's name was read out as one of the two starting centres along with Gasnier, the 800-strong crowd let out a simultaneous gasp - and even the Queensland Origin coach and former Kangaroos skipper admitted he was stunned.
"I must confess I am bewildered by it - but other than that, I'm stoked," Meninga said. "I'm really honoured and privileged given the array of centres that have played the game over the years."
After missing the starting 13, Fulton and Langlands - all of whom were also nominated in other positions - were chosen as reserves, along with the game's first legend, Dally Messenger, and former Glebe and St George second-rower Frank Burge.
But Gasnier, who was considered an automatic selection after scoring 219 tries in 233 first-class games and being Australia's youngest captain at 23 years and 28 days in 1962, was dumbfounded that his former St George teammate Langlands missed out on the starting side.
"I've played with a lot of great centres and I'm surprised to see Graeme isn't there," said Gasnier, who was dubbed The Prince of Centres.
Along with the halves pairing of Johns and Wally Lewis, Meninga was just one of three players chosen from the past 20 years.
Johns, whose recent off-field indiscretions had some believing the 28-man voting panel may not have chosen him as the game's greatest halfback, is the most recent, having retired just last year after a neck injury ended his illustrious career with Newcastle, NSW and Australia.
"A lot of people in the game have forgiven me and I feel like the game has forgiven me," Johns said. "It is the most humbling moment of my life. I can't be more proud. Individual-wise, this is the ultimate. I'm buzzing.
"The company you're in ... these blokes were my heroes growing up. It's mind-blowing to be named alongside them. I just feel numb at the moment. Playing in this side, I wouldn't have had a bruise on me."
Aside from Johns, former Western Suburbs hardman Noel Kelly - believed to hold the record for the most send-offs in premiership history - is the only other player selected not in the Hall of Fame.
Kelly, who was as equally well well known as a hooker and a prop after playing 25 Tests in both positions, won the contentious rake spot from Steve Walters in an all-Queensland front-row with Arthur Beetson and Duncan Hall.
As revealed in yesterday's Herald, Beetson boycotted the black-tie function at the Royal Hall of Industries on the old Sydney Showgrounds site, where the first league game in Australia was played, as a personal protest against the way the game is being administered.
Beetson's former Parramatta teammate, Peter Sterling, one of the main contenders for the halfback spot, also did not attend. However, 94 of the top 100 players revealed last month were either present or represented by family members in what was dubbed the largest gathering of league greats ever assembled.
Of the 17 players named under legendary coach Jack Gibson, only winger Brian Bevan never represented Australia. He played most of his career in England, where he scored a world record 796 career tries in 688 games.
Ken Irvine, the other winger in the side, is the greatest try-scorer in premiership history, crossing 212 times for Norths and Manly, and scoring 33 tries in 31 Tests for Australia.
Meninga is believed to have won his place ahead of Fulton, Langlands and Messenger largely on the basis of being the most capped Australian Test representative (45) and the only player chosen for four Kangaroo tours, two as captain.
Fulton was also considered for the five-eighth role, Langlands missed out on the fullback spot to the legendary Clive Churchill.
Former St George captain Norm Provan, who led the club to six consecutive premierships, also had irresistible claims to a berth and was named in the side alongside Ron Coote in the second row.
