Kiwis stars Shaun Johnson and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak have been added to the long list of candidates for the 2018 Golden Boot award for international rugby league's outstanding player.
The pair join England's John Bateman, Tommy Makinson and Elliott Whitehead as additions to a list that already included Tonga's Jason Taumalolo and Sio Siua Taukieaho, and Australians Valentine Holmes, James Tedesco and Boyd Cordner.
Five-eight Johnson has won the award before, claiming honours in 2014, after steering New Zealand to consecutive victories over Australia, en route to the Four Nations title.
He was also named man of the match in the Kiwis' most recent success over the Kangaroos earlier this month.
After a troubled start to his international career - he twice missed debut tests through injury and suspension - Watene-Zelezniak, 23, has risen rapidly to captain the side against Australia and England in recent weeks.
He is the great-grandson of New Zealand's first Māori rugby league captain, Steve Watene.
The most recent additions came after England's hard-fought 18-16 win over New Zealand at Hull on Sunday (NZT), the first encounter of a three-test series.
Kiwi Fern co-captain Honey Hireme is also in contention for the inaugural women's award.
A media panel will short-list candidates on November 4, with the RLIF Golden Boot winners announced on November 7.
Newshub.
