LeagueNews.co | Nick Loken
The shortlist for the 2025 IRL Golden Boot has been revealed, with standout Kiwis stars Dylan Brown and Joseph Tapine, influential Toa Samoa prop Payne Haas, and Kangaroo duo Harry Grant and Cameron Munster contending for the prestigious honor, as reported by melbournestorm.com.au.
In addition, the shortlists for the Women's and Wheelchair Golden Boot awards have also been announced. Three members from the successful Jillaroos squad-Yasmin Clydsdale, Julia Robinson, and Tamika Upton-are in the running, alongside Cook Islands halfback Chantay Kiria-Ratu and Kiwi Ferns fullback Apii Nicholls for the Women's Golden Boot.
On the Wheelchair side, England's Rob Hawkins is aiming to be the first athlete in any discipline to claim back-to-back Golden Boots after winning in 2024. He is joined on the shortlist by teammate Nathan Collins, along with Australia's Bayley McKenna, Zac Schumacher, and Ireland's Joe Calcott. Notably, Jack Brown was the inaugural Wheelchair Golden Boot winner in 2019.
Irrespective of the men's winner, the Golden Boot trophy will have a new name this year; it was first awarded in 1984 to the legendary Australian five-eighth Wally Lewis. With Australia and England engaged in an Ashes Series concurrently with the Pacific Championships, the judging panel faces the challenging task of selecting the international player of the year.
Dylan Brown, who has signed a 10-year contract with Newcastle for the upcoming season, notably excelled during New Zealand's triumph in the Pacific Cup, culminating in their victory over Samoa in the final for the second time in three years.