Kiwis duo Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves are among the nominees for the Golden Boot, awarded to rugby league's best international player for 2019.
International Rugby League (IRL) will award the Golden Boot, in the men's and women's games, to the players adjudged to have been the best performed in full international matches during 2019.
Fullback Tuivasa-Sheck and prop Waerea-Hargreaves are among 10 nominees for the award, which includes Tongan Invitational stars Siosiua Taukeiaho and Tui Lolohea.
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Taukeiaho and Tui Lolohea have been recognised for their performances in the Oceania Cup, which includes the historic victory over Australia, and the Great Britain Lions games.
If one of the pair edge out the fellow candidates, it would be the first time since the award's inception in 1984 it had been won by a player representing a nation other than Australia (19), England (five) or New Zealand (four).
Kangaroos hooker Damian Cook has caught the eye of the judges while teenage prop Payne Haas has received a nomination after his maiden international campaign.
John Bateman is Great Britain's sole representative while Fiji have three players in Viliame Kikau, Kevin Naiqama and Brandon Wakeman.
The list of nominees will be completed once the final test matches of 2019 are played, before the winners are announced.
In the race for the women's award, Australian Jillaroos pair Jess Sergis and Ali Brigginshaw have been nominated.
After the shortlist was announced, NSW State of Origin coach Brad Fittler came out swinging, saying it's "ridiculous" that the prestigious title only acknowledges the best international of the season, saying it should reward the player of the year.
However, based on the current criteria, he feels one of the Tongan nominees should win the award.
IRL Golden Boot nominees: John Bateman (Great Britain), Damien Cook (Australia), Payne Haas (Australia), Viliame Kikau (Fiji), Tui Lolohea (Tonga), Kevin Naiqama (Fiji), Sio Siua Taukeiaho (Tonga), Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (New Zealand), Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (New Zealand), Brandon Wakeham (Fiji).
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AAP/Newshub.
