KP Golden Boot winner

JC I decided to put this to bed....interesting background was Brett Kenny was a winner as well. The other thing is that it has changed since 2018 which explains all our confusion.

How the Golden Boot is Decided

International Form Only. Since the International Rugby League (IRL) took over the award in 2018, judges only assess performances in senior international fixtures. Club competitions (NRL, Super League, Challenge Cup) and State of Origin are excluded so the award does not duplicate domestic honours like the Dally M Medal or Man of Steel.
Pre-2018 Criteria. Prior to 2018, when the award was run by Open Rugby and Rugby League World, judges considered a player's entire calendar year across club, Origin, and Test football.
Judging Panel. A shortlist of nominees is selected from international media nominations. The final winner is voted on by a panel of international rugby league legends, specifically Golden Cap recipients who have played 50 or more Test matches (such as Darren Lockyer, James Graham, Ruben Wiki, Petero Civoniceva, and Adrian Morley). [1, 2]

Why Bevan French and Other UK-Based Aussies Haven't Won

No Australian Overseas Winners. Every Australian winner of the Golden Boot—from inaugural recipient Wally Lewis (1984) to recent winners Isaah Yeo (2024) and Harry Grant (2025)—was playing for an Australian-based club at the time.
Bevan French's Eligibility. Despite dominating the English game with Wigan Warriors—winning the 2023 Man of Steel and sweeping the Player of the Match awards in the 2024 World Club Challenge, Challenge Cup Final, and Super League Grand Final—French has not played senior Test football for Australia. Without international appearances, he is ineligible under the IRL's criteria.
Super League Winners. Only five England-based players have ever won the Golden Boot, and all five were English nationals representing Great Britain or England:
- Ellery Hanley (1988 – Wigan / Balmain)
- Garry Schofield (1990 – Leeds)
- Andy Farrell (2004 – Wigan Warriors)
- Kevin Sinfield (2012 – Leeds Rhinos)
- Tommy Makinson (2018 – St Helens) [1, 2]

(Note: While 1985 winner Brett Kenny played a short off-season stint with Wigan in early 1985, he was contracted to and primarily based with the Parramatta Eels in Australia.)

"I don't think anyone would argue that Moses is ultra-competitive. That is clear.
It's just not the same as leadership.
Leadership is showing up for people how they need you to show up to be their best. It means you're able to regulate your emotions,…"

"JC I decided to put this to bed....interesting background was Brett Kenny was a winner as well. The other thing is that it has changed since 2018 which explains all our confusion.
How the Golden Boot is Decided

International Form Only. Since the…"

"What's there to understand? KP has been the best player in rugby league this year by a country mile. It's not just the World Cup, it takes into account the NRL season, Origin, finals, and WC."

Replies

- LB > JC November 13, 2026 at 10:00am
  
  It is only judged on international footy. So yes it's judged on the WC as that's the only international games Ponga has played this year.
- Poppa > JC November 13, 2026 at 11:24am
  
  yes JC you are right and KP was a worthy winner, did he not win the Dally M as well?
  - JC > Poppa November 13, 2026 at 11:44am
    
    I just read that he only played 2 games for the kiwis this year and seeing that the award is judged on international performances than him winning g is a bit of a joke really.
    - LB > JC November 13, 2026 at 11:47am
      
      I think they should make it rep duties overall. I know the argument would be that some players cannot play Origin so unfair, but with new rules a lot more can play Origin. Plus if English players have an issue, 99/100 best players in the world would all be playing in NRL anyway. Maybe more.
      - Poppa > LB November 13, 2026 at 12:03pm
        
        JC I decided to put this to bed....interesting background was Brett Kenny was a winner as well. The other thing is that it has changed since 2018 which explains all our confusion.
        
        How the Golden Boot is Decided
        
        International Form Only. Since the International Rugby League (IRL) took over the award in 2018, judges only assess performances in senior international fixtures. Club competitions (NRL, Super League, Challenge Cup) and State of Origin are excluded so the award does not duplicate domestic honours like the Dally M Medal or Man of Steel.
        
        Pre-2018 Criteria. Prior to 2018, when the award was run by Open Rugby and Rugby League World, judges considered a player's entire calendar year across club, Origin, and Test football.
        
        Judging Panel. A shortlist of nominees is selected from international media nominations. The final winner is voted on by a panel of international rugby league legends, specifically Golden Cap recipients who have played 50 or more Test matches (such as Darren Lockyer, James Graham, Ruben Wiki, Petero Civoniceva, and Adrian Morley). [1, 2]
        
        Why Bevan French and Other UK-Based Aussies Haven't Won
        
        No Australian Overseas Winners. Every Australian winner of the Golden Boot—from inaugural recipient Wally Lewis (1984) to recent winners Isaah Yeo (2024) and Harry Grant (2025)—was playing for an Australian-based club at the time.
        
        Bevan French's Eligibility. Despite dominating the English game with Wigan Warriors—winning the 2023 Man of Steel and sweeping the Player of the Match awards in the 2024 World Club Challenge, Challenge Cup Final, and Super League Grand Final—French has not played senior Test football for Australia. Without international appearances, he is ineligible under the IRL's criteria.
        
        Super League Winners. Only five England-based players have ever won the Golden Boot, and all five were English nationals representing Great Britain or England:
        
        Ellery Hanley (1988 – Wigan / Balmain)
        
        Garry Schofield (1990 – Leeds)
        
        Andy Farrell (2004 – Wigan Warriors)
        
        Kevin Sinfield (2012 – Leeds Rhinos)
        
        Tommy Makinson (2018 – St Helens) [1, 2]
        
        (Note: While 1985 winner Brett Kenny played a short off-season stint with Wigan in early 1985, he was contracted to and primarily based with the Parramatta Eels in Australia.)
Wizard “Alcatraz “Sleeve November 13, 2026 at 11:04am

Considering it's only one boot it's quite useless unless you're Tawera Nikau.
- LB > Wizard “Alcatraz “Sleeve November 13, 2026 at 11:31am
  
  Dear lord
  - Poppa > LB November 13, 2026 at 12:16pm
    
    If you call Wiz Lord, it may go to his head.....if you are just praying for him...good luck!
Pork Rind November 13, 2026 at 11:14am

kp only plays quarter of a season
Clintorian November 13, 2026 at 11:58am

What's there to understand? KP has been the best player in rugby league this year by a country mile. It's not just the World Cup, it takes into account the NRL season, Origin, finals, and WC.

of 2

This reply was deleted.

Eels Blogs