26 Nov 2008

2 NZers in line for Golden Boot

6:23 am on 26 November 2008

A couple of New Zealanders have been included in the finalists for rugby league league's prestigious Golden Boot award.

Benji Marshall of West Tigers and New Zealand Warriors Manu Vatuvei are amoung the 8 nominations.

The others are the Melbourne Storm trio of Billy Slater, Cam Smith and Greg Inglis.... Brent Kite of Manly, Jonathon Thurston of North Queensland and Jamie Peacock of Leeds.

The award is bestowed upon the player adjudged the world's best, with rugby league writers and former internationals making up the voting panel.

Smith won the award last year after a stellar season which culminated in Melbourne's NRL grand final win over Manly.

This year's award will be presented this Saturday at the annual Players' Association dinner in Sydney.

Wally Lewis won the inaugural award in 1985.