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  • Rob Hawkins becomes only the second player in rugby league history to win three Golden Boot awards, securing the wheelchair category title for a third straight year.
  • New Zealand’s Kalyn Ponga and Stacey Waaka were named winners of the men’s and women’s Golden Boot awards respectively, following strong performances in recent semi-finals.
  • The International Rugby League also announced inaugural Hall of Legends inductees, including Sir Billy Boston and other historic figures from the sport.

The International Rugby League has announced its annual Golden Boot winners, recognizing the top performers across wheelchair, men’s, and women’s competitions for the current calendar year. The awards highlight a mix of historical achievement and recent on-field dominance as the global tournament approaches its conclusion. Rob Hawkins of England secured the wheelchair category title for the third consecutive season, marking a significant milestone in the sport's history.

Hawkins is now only the second player in any form of rugby league to achieve three successive Golden Boot victories. The previous holder of this distinction was Australian legend Johnathan Thurston. At twenty-five years old, Hawkins has established himself as a dominant force in wheelchair rugby league. His victory came after competing against several notable nominees, including his England teammate Joe Coyd and French players Jeremy Bourson, Nicolas Clausells, and Dany Denuwelaere. Irish captain Joe Calcott and Australians Bayley McKenna and Adam Tannock were also among those considered for the honor.

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Hawkins’ performance during the ongoing World Cup has been instrumental for England. He has recorded nineteen tries throughout the tournament, including five scores in a decisive semi-final victory over Australia. The English side defeated their rivals 86-28 on Tuesday, setting up a final against France. Hawkins is scheduled to play in that championship match, which will take place in Wollongong, Australia, later this week. His earlier recognition as the Wheels of Steel winner in September underscored his consistent excellence throughout the year.

In the men’s category, New Zealand full-back Kalyn Ponga claimed the award. The twenty-eight-year-old delivered a standout performance in New Zealand’s semi-final win against Tonga, helping secure a 34-10 victory. This achievement is particularly notable given that Ponga suffered a broken forearm just twenty-three days prior to the match. His resilience was also evident during the National Rugby League Grand Final last month, where he played for the Newcastle Knights despite their narrow 19-18 loss to the Sydney Roosters.

Stacey Waaka, also from New Zealand, received the women’s Golden Boot award. The thirty-one-year-old dual-code international scored a hat-trick during her team’s semi-final triumph over Samoa, which ended with a 32-0 scoreline. Waaka’s accolades extend beyond rugby league; she previously won bronze in rugby union at the 2025 World Cup. Her medal collection also includes two Olympic gold medals and a Commonwealth Games title in sevens, reflecting her versatility across different codes of the sport.

The award ceremony took place in Brisbane, where the International Rugby League also celebrated its inaugural Hall of Legends class. Several iconic figures from the sport’s past were inducted to honor their contributions to rugby league. Sir Billy Boston, the first player in the sport to receive a knighthood, was among those recognized. Other inductees included Ellery Hanley, Malcolm Reilly, Alex Murphy, Neil Fox, and Roger Millward.

Mick Sullivan, an English legend who remains the only player from England to have won two World Cups, also joined the Hall of Legends. These inductions serve to contextualize the current achievements within the broader history of the game. The recognition of past greats alongside contemporary stars highlights the evolving nature of rugby league and its growing global profile.

The upcoming final between England and France in wheelchair rugby league will be a key test for Hawkins and his teammates as they attempt to retain their world title. For Ponga and Waaka, their awards cap off a year defined by high-stakes performances and physical adversity. The Golden Boot awards continue to serve as a benchmark for individual excellence in a sport that is increasingly gaining international attention and competitive depth.

As the World Cup concludes, these honors provide a snapshot of the current landscape in rugby league. The dominance of Hawkins in the wheelchair division, combined with the breakthrough performances by Ponga and Waaka, signals a period of heightened competition and talent across all categories. The sport’s governing body appears committed to elevating the visibility of both established stars and emerging forces through these annual recognitions.

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