Graham is the best - Price

The St Helens favourite modestly played down his selection in the team of the year at the inaugural International Federation awards in Brisbane this week, insisting the vote should have gone to either Price or fellow Kangaroo front rower Petero Civoniceva.

But Price insisted the award was fully deserved, saying: "It's very nice of him to say that but I think he fully deserves it and I think he should have been one of the nominations for the international player of the year."

He added: "I didn't know a lot about James before this tournament. I heard he had a good year in England and for him to get Man of Steel in front of so many great players that are in the Super League is a true testament to start with, especially to do it as a front rower.

"I was totally impressed by playing against him and watching him play over here in the World Cup.

"I think he's just being a very humble young man."

Both the Australia and New Zealand teams took a break from their preparations for Saturday's World Cup final at Suncorp Stadium by visiting The Gap High School, which was badly affected on Sunday by the worst storms to hit Queensland for more than 20 years.

Trees were uprooted and houses devastated by the strong winds and heavy rain and the players were on Wednesday greeted by the sight of a shattered piece of corrugated roofing stuck up a gum tree in the school entrance.

"The whole area has been badly hit over the last couple of days so hopefully it's cheered a few people up," said Price. "It was one of the worst storms in something like 25 years. I was living here back then.

"It's not what you want to see but everyone has got a great attitude and there are plenty of people out helping to get everything right."