Australia centre Greg Inglis has won the Rugby League World Golden Boot award. Inglis scored one of the Kangaroos eight tries in their 46-16 Four Nations final win over England. The Melbourne star was on a six-man shortlist which also included England’s Kevin Sinfield and Gareth Ellis. The other names for the prize were Aussies Cameron Smith, Greg Inglis and Billy Slater, plus New Zealand forward Fuifui Moimoi.
Inglis won the Wally Lewis Medal as the best player in this year’s State of Origin series, and scored 16 tries for the Storm, including a play-off hat-trick against Brisbane Broncos, as they won their second Premiership in three years.
He said: (quote) My aim is just to stay on top of my game. Previous form means nothing. You just have to keep improving. I’m still learning and have a lot to contribute yet. (end quote)
Leeds captain Sinfield has already won the International Federation award for the best loose forward, while Ellis, who plays in Australia for Wests Tigers, was named second rower of the year.
Smith, Slater and Inglis all enjoyed success in the NRL Grand Final with Melbourne Storm this year as well as winning the State of Origin series with Queensland. Parramatta prop Moimoi was named in the Federation team of the year.
The Golden Boot was first awarded in 1985, while the Federation awards have only existed for two years.
Previous Winners
1985 Wally Lewis (Australia)
1986 Brett Kenny (Australia)
1987 Garry Jack (Australia)
1988 Hugh McGahan (New Zealand) and Peter Sterling (Australia)
1989 Ellery Hanley (Great Britain)
1990 Mal Meninga (Australia)
1991-1998 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 (Great Britain)
2005 Anthony Minichiello (Australia)
2006 Darren Lockyer (Australia)
2007 Cameron Smith (Australia)
2008 Billy Slater (Australia)
2009 Greg Inglis (Australia)
