Ponga vs Reece for Rugby League top award
The two 'biggest' names in their respective teams, star fullbacks Kalyn Ponga and Reece Walsh headline the short list of nominations for the 2026 International Rugby League Player of the Year awards.
Walsh and Ponga will meet in Sunday's World Cup final between Australia and New Zealand in Brisbane.
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Two Kiwis and three Kiwi Ferns are among the nominations from eight countries in the three categories for the Golden Boot Awards.
Playing for the Kiwis for the first time Ponga has been a star at the World Cup, despite missing two pool games with a broken arm. He suffered the injury in the opening game against Australia, but returned 23 days later to help New Zealand beat Tonga and qualify for the final.
Try scoring Casey McLean is the other Kiwi on the list
Double international Stacey Waaka, fullback Apii Nicholls and halfback Raecene McGregor, who won the award at the last World Cup in 2022, are the three Kiwi Ferns on the women's short-list.
IRL 2026 Golden Boot shortlist
Men: Casey McLean (New Zealand), Francis Manuleleua (Samoa), Kalyn Ponga (New Zealand), Rob Toia (Tonga), Reece Walsh (Australia).
Women: Abbi Church (Australia), Evania Isa'ako (Samoa), Olivia Kernick (Australia), Raecene McGregor (New Zealand), Apii Nicholls (New Zealand), Tamika Upton (Australia), Stacey Waaka (New Zealand), Luisa Yaranamua (Fiji).
Wheelchair: Jeremy Bourson (France), Joseph Calcott (Ireland), Nicolas Clausells (France), Joe Coyd (England), Dany Denuwelaere (France), Rob Hawkins (England), Bayley McKenna (Australia), Adam Tannock (Australia).
Former New Zealand internationals Ruben Wiki and Honey Hireme-Smiler are among the judges while James Fisher-Harris was the last New Zealand man to win the award in 2023.
