Five True Blues have been nominated for the International Rugby League (IRL)’s annual Golden Boot award for 2024.
The highly-regarded award will be announced at the end of the international season, which this year included the Pacific Championships and Pacific Bowl competitions along with a two-Test series between England and Samoa.
Westpac NSW Blues vice-captain Isaah Yeo is among those nominated along with fellow True Blues Zac Lomax, Tom Trbojevic, Jarome Luai and Haumole Olakau’atu.
Taking over the Australian captaincy this year, Yeo has been vital for his country in their opening two games and will be key to the Kangaroos claiming the Pacific Championships in the final against Tonga at Sydney’s Commbank Stadium on Sunday (10 November).
Continuing his impressive club form into international duties, Lomax made his Kangaroos debut against Tonga at Suncorp Stadium (18 October) and then scored a double in Australia’s 22-10 win over the Kiwis last weekend in Christchurch.
Returning to the Kangaroos after a six-year hiatus, Tom Trbojevic has slotted back into the team effortlessly. Running for over 400 metres in the opening two rounds, the outside back also has a try, one line-break, a try-assist and five tackle-breaks.
Tonga back rower Haumole Olakau’atu is in line potentially to make history if he is the winner of the Golden Boot – being the first Pacific player to win the prestigious award.
The powerful back rower has been a standout for Tonga in the opening two games against Australia and New Zealand, with 213 running metres, 112 post-contact metres, 11 tackle-breaks and 43 tackles.
Being named Samoa captain this year, Jarome Luai led his team on the historic two-match England tour, which England won 2-0.
The four-time NRL premiership winner reminded fans why he is a force to be reckoned with at all levels of the game – with 212 run metres, three line-break assists, three try-assists and 620 kick metres despite the losses.
Golden Boot recipients Darryn Lockyer (Australia), James Graham (England) and Petero Civoniceva (Australia/Fiji) who are among just nine players to have played 50 internationals, will choose the men’s 2024 Golden Boot winner.
Short lists for the men’s and women’s IRL Golden Boot will be announced after the second international between France and England on Saturday 23 November.
The winner of the 2024 IRL Golden Boot awards will be announced in early December.
