Kalyn Ponga received international rugby league's Golden Boot in Brisbane on Thursday night, with the New Zealand squad present to celebrate.
The 28-year-old edged Reece Walsh for the award, which recognises the sport's best international player, after playing only 150 minutes of football.
That total included ten minutes against Australia in last month's World Cup opener, when Ponga broke his arm and both fullbacks impressed.
He needed surgery involving 11 screws and a plate, then returned three weeks later to star in New Zealand's semi-final against Tonga.
Walsh also shone in the tournament, scoring a hat-trick for Australia against Samoa in their semi-final.
Ponga's award capped a season in which he led Newcastle to an NRL grand final appearance.