Keano Kini, the 20-year-old Kiwi international from Auckland, has quickly become a top contender for the rugby league’s Golden Boot award.
Making his mark in the Pacific Championships, Kini impressed in his Test debut against the Kangaroos with a game-high 254 metres, followed by another strong showing with 240 metres, a line break, and his first Test try against Tonga.
Recognised for his season as the Gold Coast Titans’ player of the year, Kini is the only current New Zealand international among the 17 contenders for the award, alongside former Kiwis Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (Samoa) and Addin Fonua-Blake (Tonga).
Players from six Pacific Championships nations, plus England and Samoa, are vying for the Golden Boot, with selections to be made by rugby legends Darren Lockyer, James Graham, and Petero Civoniceva.
The winners for the men’s, women’s, and wheelchair categories will be announced in early December, following the Pacific Championships’ final matches and the second international wheelchair game between France and England later this month.
2024 Golden Boot, men’s nominees
- Herbie Farnworth (England)
- Addin Fonua-Blake (Tonga)
- Harry Grant (Australia)
- Lachlan Lam (Papua New Guinea)
- Zac Lomax (Australia)
- Jarome Luai (Samoa)
- Keano Kini (New Zealand)
- Nene Macdonald (Papua New Guinea)
- Esan Marsters (Cook Islands)
- Taane Milne (Fiji)
- Haumole Olakau’atu (Tonga)
- Harry Smith (England)
- Jason Taumalolo (Tonga)
- Tom Trbojevic (Australia)
- Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (Samoa)
- George Williams (England)
- Isaah Yeo (Australia)
