Cameron Murray awarded Harry Sunderland Medal as Kangaroos' best

Rabbitohs skipper Cameron Murray is the winner of the Harry Sunderland Medal awarded to the Gallagher Kangaroos' best player for 2023.

Murray was a star for the Kangaroos in their big wins over Toa Samoa and New Zealand in the opening two rounds of the Pacific Championships before missing the final against the Kiwis due to tendonitis.

The 25-year-old has played eight Tests for Australia since making his debut against a Tonga Invitational outfit in 2019.

Murray's late try against the Kiwis in Melbourne made it six consecutive Test matches in which he had scored a try, equalling the record of another Rabbitohs great in Ron Coote, who crossed in six straight Tests in 1968-69.

The Harry Sunderland Medal has been awarded to the best Australian player in every international series since 1964, when it was won by rugby league Immortal John Raper.

Born in Queensland, Sunderland was renowned for his work as an administrator both in Australia and the UK, where the player judged best on ground in the Super League grand final is awarded the Harry Sunderland Trophy.

Murray joins a distinguished list of winners of the Sunderland Medal that includes Cameron Smith, Greg Inglis, Darren Lockyer, Johnathan Thurston, Ron Coote and Wally Lewis.