Tonga stars in line for historic Golden Boot

Tonga stars Siosiua Taukeiaho and Tuimoala Lolohea are at the top of the voting for the International Rugby League's prestigious Golden Boot award.

The award recognises the best male and female player in the world on the international scene, with Tonga Invitational's upsets over Great Britain and Australia putting two of its best-performed players in the box seat.

If one of the pair edge out the fellow candidates it would be the first time since the award's inception in 1984 it had been won by a player representing a nation other than Australia (19), England (five) or New Zealand (four).

Kangaroos rookie Payne Haas is on the current shortlist along with Australian hooker Damien Cook. That duo, and the Tonga pair, have completed their international commitments for the year.

With Great Britain and Papua New Guinea (two tests each) plus New Zealand and Fiji (one each) having Tests to come, players already on the short list can push ahead of the current favourites or new candidates could be added with standout performances. 

That means Englishman John Bateman and Kiwi pair Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves have a good chance to stake their claims over the coming fortnight.

A trio of Fijians also made the list and have one game remaining against Papua New Guinea to advance their claims. Viliame Kikau, Kevin Naiqama and Brandon Wakeham all have received enough votes to put them on the list after a huge win over Samoa recently and a big win in the mid-year Test against Lebanon.

Dragons and Jillaroos centre Jess Sergis is the standout candidate from the women's list after fellow Test centre Isabelle Kelly claimed the inaugural women's award last year.

Her teammate Ali Brigginshaw is also on the shortlist while England and PNG Orchids players have the chance to push their claims in the two-Test series starting this weekend.