LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
In what can only be described as a "farce," Payne Haas has found himself among the Golden Boot nominations despite his limited international experience.
The rugby league world was left puzzled by this surprising inclusion, with commentators Andrew Voss and Greg Alexander expressing their confusion.
Haas, who had a stellar NRL season with the Broncos, managed to make a strong impact in the State of Origin series despite the Blues' loss.
This impressive performance earned him a spot in Mal Meninga's Kangaroos squad for the Pacific Championship.
However, the young prop only managed to play two games in the tournament.
Haas made his presence felt in the Kangaroos' dominant victory over Samoa during the group stage.
Unfortunately, he was rested for the clash against New Zealand, which resulted in a convincing win for the Kiwis.
The final against New Zealand proved to be a disastrous outing for Haas and the rest of the forward pack, as they were dominated and left Australia shellshocked.
The backlash for Meninga's team was intense, and critics questioned their selection decisions.
It was then a shock to see Haas nominated for the Golden Boot award, especially considering its emphasis on international rugby league.
Nominees such as England's Harry Smith and New Zealand's James Fisher-Harris and Joseph Tapine were expected, but Haas's inclusion raised many eyebrows.
Time will tell if Haas can defy the odds and claim the prestigious award.