Departing One New Zealand Warriors front rower Addin Fonua-Blake has been shortlisted for the prestigious Golden Boot after his outstanding performances for Tonga in the Pacific Championships.
He’s one of six in contention for the award alongside rookie Kiwi fullback Keano Kini, England centre Herbie Farnworth and three Kangaroos in centre Tom Trbojevich, hooker Harry Grant and loose forward Isaah Yeo.
Fonua-Blake was superb in all three outings for Tonga as it reached the final and pushed Australia all the way before dipping out 14-20 in Sydney on Sunday night.
In Tonga’s 0-18 opening round loss to the Kangaroos in Brisbane he made 134 metres from 17 runs and 19 tackles in 56 minutes, following it up with a 55-minute shift in the 25-24 win over the Kiwis in which he carried the ball 19 times for 224 metres, made seven tackles and added 20 tackles plus a barnstorming try.
In the final he was on the field for 67 minutes finishing with 217 metres from 19 runs along with six tackle breaks and 20 tackles.
His deeds followed a super season with the One New Zealand Warriors which saw him named the club’s players’ player of the year as well as being included in the Dally M team of the year and the RLPA’s Players’ Dream Team.
Kiwi captain and Warrior-in-waiting James Fisher-Harris won the Golden Boot last year making it three in a row for New Zealand after Joey Manu and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck took it out the previous two times it was awarded.
Kini enjoyed an outstanding entrance to the international scene in New Zealand’s loss to Australia, the epic 24-25 defeat by Tonga and the impressive 54-12 win against Papua New Guinea.
An Australian player hasn’t taken the crown since 2017.
“The passion of players for international rugby league has rarely been more evident than in the past month and that has shone through in the quality of matches and individual performances,” said International Rugby League chair Troy Grant.
“The international game is in strong shape again and excitement is already building for next year, with the first Ashes series since 2003 between Australia and England, while New Zealand, Samoa and Tonga will play in the Pacific Cup.
“On behalf of International Rugby League, I would like to congratulate all of the players who showed such pride and passion representing their nations and particularly those who have been nominated for the 2024 IRL Golden Boot. It is an outstanding field of candidates and any would be a worthy winner.”
The IRL Golden Boot is awarded to the best player in sanctioned rugby league international matches each year.
The men’s 2024 IRL Golden Boot is chosen by Golden Cap recipients Darren Lockyer (Australia), James Graham (England) and Petero Civoniceva (Australia/Fiji), who are among just nine players to have played 50 internationals.
2024 IRL Golden Boot | Men’s short list
Herbie Farnworth (England)
Addin Fonua-Blake (Tonga)
Harry Grant (Australia)
Keano Kini (New Zealand)
Tom Trbojevic (Australia)
Isaah Yeo (Australia)
Previous winners
1984 Wally Lewis (Australia)
1985 Brett Kenny (Australia)
1986 Garry Jack (Australia)
1987 Hugh McGahan (New Zealand)
and Peter Sterling (Australia)
1988 Ellery Hanley (England)
1989 Mal Meninga (Australia)
1990 Garry Schofield (England)
1991-98 No award given
1999 Andrew Johns (Australia)
2000 Brad Fittler (Australia)
2001 Andrew Johns (Australia)
2002 Stacey Jones (New Zealand)
2003 Darren Lockyer (Australia)
2004 Andrew Farrell (England)
2005 Anthony Minichiello (Australia)
2006 Darren Lockyer (Australia)
2007 Cameron Smith (Australia)
2008 Billy Slater (Australia)
2009 Greg Inglis (Australia)
2010 Benji Marshall (New Zealand)
2011 Johnathan Thurston (Australia)
2012 Kevin Sinfield (England)
2013 Johnathan Thurston (Australia)
2014 Shaun Johnson (New Zealand)
2015 Johnathan Thurston (Australia)
2016 Cooper Cronk (Australia)
2017 Cameron Smith (Australia)
2018 Tommy Makinson (England)
2019 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (New Zealand)
2020 No award given
2021 No award given
2022 Joey Manu (New Zealand)
2023 James Fisher-Harris (New Zealand)
