the 2008 State of Origin series shortly after a fractured cheekbone Gidley was the stand-out player at the club in the 2008 season as they finished ninth on the NRL ladder with 12 wins and 12 losses. Gidley led the scoring at the club with 150 points and also took the try-scoring award with nine tries. Regarded as one of the best utility players in the game, Gidley was also appointed captain of the Knights for the next season, replacing England-bound and club legend Danny Buderus. At the end of the 2008 NRL season, Gidley was named the Newcastle club's player of the year. In August 2008, Gidley was named in the preliminary 46-man Kangaroos squad for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup, and in October 2008 he was selected in the final 24-man Australia squad. He was selected for Australia in the one-off test match against New Zealand on 8 May 2009. In May 2009, he was named as captain and to represent New South Wales in the opening State of Origin match on 3 June 2009, in Melbourne. In the 2009 season Kurt Gidley again led the club's season in points as the Knights finished 7th after a good year. Kurt also achieved the second best percentage of kicking goals, with 82.1%, only being beaten by Michael Gordon with 93.4%. In November 2009, he was named in the Australian national team to take part in the 2009 Four Nations. In Australia's opening game of the tournament against New Zealand he played as the 17th man utility, making an impact in the last quarter of the game. In game three against France, he was chosen to replace regular Billy Slater who was rested along with others. He successfully converted two goals which played part in the final 42–4 Australian win. On 7 November, Gidley was chosen on the interchange bench for the Four Nations final played in Leeds in which the Kangaroos thrashed England 46–16. He was brought on into the s to replace an injured Justin Hodges early in the game. 2010s In January 2010, Gidley was named in the NRL All Stars team to play on 13 February 2010. He was voted as the Knight's representative after beating Ben Cross, Chris Houston and Jarrod Mullen. Kurt suffered a knee injury in the game which left him sidelined until Round 6 of the 2010 season. For the 2010