Danny Brough, the Scotland captain, is the only Northern Hemisphere-based player named on a three-man shortlist for rugby league's International Player of the Year award.
Physically the 5ft 9ins tall, 12-and-a-half stone Yorkshire-born 30-year-old is dwarfed by his rivals, Sonny Bill Williams of world champions New Zealand - 6ft 4ins and 17st - and Greg Inglis of Australia at 6ft 5ins and 16st 10lbs. However, his inclusion gives recognition to the immense year Brough has had.
The Huddersfield Giants playmaker has already been honoured with the Super League's prestigious Man of Steel title, voted on by his fellow players, but the international award is on another level, with no player ever having won it without playing Test rugby for one of the big three of Australia, England and New Zealand.
Brough has, in essence spent the entire year inspiring teams to surpass all expectations. He was Giants' driving force as they won the Super League Leaders' Shield for topping the league ahead of the play-offs, the first time they had achieved that feat in more than 80 years.
However, it it was his performance over the past month in leading Scotland to the quarter-finals of the World Cup after he was, to the surprise of many, overlooked by the England management that has elevated him to consideration alongside two men who are considered to possess almost superhuman talents.
"I'm so proud of what we achieved at the World Cup," said Dewsbury-born Brough, who has, as a result of his Aberdeenshire heritage, represented Scotland since 2004. "Getting to the knockout stages with this side has probably been the greatest achievement of my career."
The award will be presented at the Rugby League International Federation dinner in Manchester next week.
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