North Queensland Toyota Cowboys lock Jason Taumalolo has capped off an outstanding 2018 season, once again being selected in Rugby League World magazine's World XIII.

Taumalolo becomes just the third lock to win the award three consecutive times, joining Bradley Clyde (Canberra Raiders) and Andy Farrell (Wigan Warriors), in the 40-year history of the team.

Retired Cowboys legend Johnathan Thurston, who was selected in the side ten times, ranked fifth in voting for the best halfback in the world for 2018.

The World XIII is chosen by 11 journalists, who select their top five players in each position, with the 12th vote given by fans through the TotalRL.com website.

2018 World XIII

1. James Tedesco (Australia)

2. Tommy Makinson (England)

3. Latrell Mitchell (Australia)

4. Joseph Manu (New Zealand)

5. Valentine Holmes (Australia)

6. Luke Keary (Australia)

7. Cooper Cronk (Australia)

8. Luke Thompson (England)

9. Damien Cook (Australia)

10. Andrew Fifita (Tonga)

11. Boyd Cordner (Australia)

12. Elliott Whitehead (England)

13. Jason Taumalolo (Tonga)

World ratings

Fullbacks

1. James Tedesco

2. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck

3. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak

4. Billy Slater

5. Kalyn Ponga

Wingers

1. Tommy Makinson

2. Valentine Holmes

3. Josh Addo-Carr

4. David Fusitu'a

5. Blake Ferguson

Centres

1. Latrell Mitchell

2. Joseph Manu

3. Esan Marsters

4. Joey Leilua

5. Mark Percival

Five-eighths

1. Luke Keary

2. Cameron Munster

3. Gareth Widdop

4. Shaun Johnson

5. James Maloney

Halfbacks

1. Cooper Cronk

2. Kodi Nikorima

3. Daly Cherry-Evans

4. Nathan Cleary

5. Johnathan Thurston

Props

1. Luke Thompson

2. Andrew Fifita

3. Siosiua Taukeiaho

4. James Graham = Jesse Bromwich

Hookers

1. Damien Cook

2. James Roby

3. Cameron Smith

4. Josh Hodgson

5. Issac Luke

Second-rowers

1. Boyd Cordner

2. Elliott Whitehead

3. John Bateman

4. Tyson Frizell

5. Tevita Pangai Jnr

Locks

1. Jason Taumalolo

2. Sam Burgess

3. Jake Trbojevic

4. Sean O'Loughlin

5. Adam Blair = Luke Thompson