Superstar fullbacks Reece Walsh and Kalyn Ponga headline the short list of nominations for the 2026 IRL Golden Boot as they prepare to go head-to-head in Sunday’s World Cup final between Australia and New Zealand at Suncorp Stadium.
Players from eight countries feature on the shortlists for the Men’s, Women’s and Wheelchair Golden Boots awards, which will be announced in Brisbane on Thursday night, along with the inaugural inductees to the IRL Hall of Legends.
Walsh and Ponga lit up IRL Rugby League World Cup 2026 with an exhilarating personal duel in the opening match at Allianz Stadium that set the tournament on the path to success.
Ponga, who may not have been playing at the World Cup if he hadn't been granted permission to change his eligibility from Australia to New Zealand, returned just 23 days after breaking his arm to spearhead the Kiwis into their first final since 2013.
Walsh also starred for the Kangaroos in their semi-final defeat of Samoa
Tonga centre Rob Toia, Toa Samoa lock Francis Manuleleua and Kiwis tryscoring machine Casey McLean are the other players vying for the Men’s Golden Boot.
The short list for the Women’s Golden Boot includes Jillaroos fullback Tamika Upton, lock Olivia Kernick and winger Abbi Church, who got her chance after last year’s winner Julia Robinson was ruled out by injury and has scored eight tries in three World Cup games.
Kiwi Ferns halfback Raecene McGregor, who won the Golden Boot at the last World Cup in 2022, fullback Apii Nicholls and centre Stacey Waaka have also been nominated, along with inspirational Fetu Samoa utility Evania Isa'ako and Fiji Bulikula playmaker Luisa Yaranamua.
The Wheelchair nominations also include a previous winner in England’s Rob Hawkins, who last year became the first players in any form of the game to win the Golden Boot in back-to-back years.
Another former Golden Boot winner, Jeremy Bourson, is one of three French players nominated for the award, along with Nicolas Clausells and Dany Denuwelaere, who are preparing for Friday night’s World Cup final against England in Wollongong.
England’s Joe Coyd, Ireland captain Joe Calcott and Wheelaroos pair Bayley McKenna and Adam Tannock round out the short list.
The Wheelchair Golden Boot winner will be announced on Thursday at Suncorp Stadium, along with the Men’s and Women’s awards.
In addition, 42 greats of the game will become the first inductees into the IRL Hall of Legends - a recognition of their contributions to international rugby league.
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)
The IRL Golden Boot is awarded to the best player in sanctioned rugby league international matches each year.
