Kevin Sinfield ignored the lure of the roulette wheel but he is on such a roll that you suspect he would have probably hit the jackpot had he succumbed to the temptation.

The Rhinos captain was in the Leeds casino for the Rugby League International Federation awards night, where he was named loose forward of the year.

That came quickly on the heels of his man-of-the-match performance in England's splendid 26-16 win over New Zealand that put them into Saturday's Gillette Four Nations final against Australia.

It also came on the back of a magnificent season for his club, culminating in his Harry Sunderland Trophy-winning performance in the Rhinos' Grand Final win over St Helens.

The goalkicking forward was also one of England's better players in the earlier games against France and the Kangaroos to provide further evidence of his ability to shine on the world stage, although the modest Sinfield is quick to play down his achievements.

"I don't look at it like that," he said. "I just want to keep on improving.

"A lot of it is down to the players I've played with and I thank them all for that.

"I didn't even know there was a team of the year but to be named in a side with so many great players is a massive honour. You have to pinch yourself."

It was ironic Sinfield was named as the game's best loose forward two days after successfully making the switch to hooker.

Loose forward in the 2009 engage Super League Dream Team, he had spoken in the build-up to the Kiwis clash of his gratitude to coach Tony Smith for allowing him the opportunity to take his club form onto the international stage.

But, in typical Sinfield fashion, he was simply happy to put the team before himself.

"I played a little bit there against Australia in the second half," he continued. "Tony had a plan to let James Roby come off the bench and have his usual impact, which he did.

"I'll play anywhere in the side and do my best. It meant I could get my hands on the ball a little more.

"I enjoyed it, when I could catch my breath. It was a little bit different to what I normally do."

As he prepares to play in the biggest match of his career, the contrast to the situation he found himself in 12 months ago could not be greater for the 29-year-old.

Dropped for the World Cup semi-final against New Zealand, he wondered if he had played his last match for his country but is now able to contemplate the possibility of a final victory over Australia.

"It would be massive," he said. "This time last year, I didn't know where my international career was, I didn't know if I'd get another shot so to be here now is a massive carrot.

"It's been a long time since England won a tournament like this but why not? We know what lies in wait for us but there is some belief and confidence about the place and we'll be giving it our best shot.

"To make people proud of us after what has happened in the last few years would be something very, very special.

"A lot of people are writing us off but hopefully we can make those people eat their words."