NOT a single Englishman features in the 18-player longlist for the men’s 2025 International Golden Boot, which was revealed last week by International Rugby League, the governing body for the international game.
The Golden Boot is awarded annually to the player adjudged to be the best player in international Rugby League during the current year.
A panel comprising Darren Lockyer (Australia), Cameron Smith (Australia), Ruben Wiki (New Zealand), James Graham (England) and Petero Civoniceva (Australia/Fiji), each of whom is among just nine players to have played 50 or more internationals, will choose the 2025 IRL Golden Boot winner.
The longlist, which was subject to possible amendment after the weekend’s final Ashes Test and the Pacific Cup Final between New Zealand and Samoa in Sydney, contains the names of five Australians, six New Zealanders, four Samoans, two Papua New Guineans and one Fijian.
New Zealand playmaker Dylan Brown, Samoan prop Payne Haas and Kangaroos pair Cameron Munster and Reece Walsh are thought to be the leading contenders to win this year’s Golden Boot.
Brown, who will join Newcastle next season on a 10-year contract, has shone for New Zealand as they defeated Samoa and Tonga to reach Sunday’s Pacific Cup final against Samoa.
Haas, the Brisbane Broncos’ Premiership winning prop, has made a huge impact for Samoa since switching his international allegiance to the Pacific nation.
Walsh and Munster have played starring roles in Australia’s domination of the Ashes series against England.
Broncos fullback Walsh made a stunning Test debut at Wembley in the series opener, won 26-6 by the Kangaroos, while Storm stand-off Munster led Australia to a 14-4 victory at Everton a week later.
Kumuls hooker Edwin Ipape and halfback Lachlan Lam, the Leigh Leopards stars, also feature on the 2025 Golden Boot long list of candidates after their performances in a youthful PNG side, which retained the Pacific Bowl for a third consecutive season against Fiji and Cook Islands. The two PNG stars are the only representatives of Super League to make the list.
The 2024 IRL Golden Boot winners were Kangaroos captain Isaah Yeo, Jillaroos playmaker Taryn Aiken and England Wheelchair star Rob Hawkins.
Men’s Golden Boot longlist: Dylan Brown (New Zealand), Jahream Bula (Fiji), Reuben Cotter (Australia), Angus Crichton (Australia), Harry Grant (Australia), Payne Haas (Samoa), Edwin Ipape (Papua New Guinea), Lachlan Lam (Papua New Guinea), Moses Leota (New Zealand), Jarome Luai (Samoa), Casey McLean (New Zealand), Cameron Munster (Australia), Isaiah Papali’i (New Zealand), Junior Paulo (Samoa), Jeremiah Nanai (Samoa), Joseph Tapine (New Zealand), Matthew Timoko (New Zealand), Reece Walsh (Australia)