England wing Tommy Makinson has beaten out Kiwis captain Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Kangaroos fullback James Tedesco and fellow countryman Elliott Whitehead to win the 2018 Golden Boot award.
The 27-year-old scored a try on his international debut against New Zealand in June during the Denver test and scored another during the second test on Monday (NZ time) - the match-winner to secure the Baskerville Shield.
The St Helens flyer is just the fifth England player to receive the award since 1984 and first since former captain Kevin Sinfield in 2012.
The award recognises the most outstanding performances in both men's and women's international matches, and covers all fully sanctioned international games played from last December's World Cup final to Sunday's second test between England and New Zealand.
Australian Jillaroos centre Isabelle Kelly was selected as the first-ever winner of the women's Golden Boot. This was based on her outstanding performances in the World Cup final at the end of 2017 and her two match-winning tries against New Zealand in October.
Kelly beat out Kiwi Fern Honey Hireme for the award.
Meanwhile, the Rugby League International Federation has announced players who have played 50 tests will now receive a ‘Golden Cap’ as recognition for their achievements.
Ruben Wiki, who played 55 tests for the Kiwis, was one of the recipients, alongside Jim Sullivan, Mick Sullivan, Adrian Morley, Darren Lockyer, Petero Civoniceva and Cameron Smith.
Newshub.
