Kiwis halfback Shaun Johnson has become just the fourth New Zealand rugby league player to win the sport's international Golden Boot award.
The Warriors playmaker, who scored a last minute try and conversion in the semi-finals of the 2013 World Cup, produced a man-of-the-match performance in the 2014 Four Nations final in Wellington last month as the Kiwis defeated Australia to lift the title.
Johnson pipped England forward Sam Burgess who switched from league to rugby union in October.
Previous Kiwis to win the award are Hugh McGahan, Stacey Jones and Benji Marshall.
Savili Havili, Shaun Johnson and Suaia Matagi celebrates after defeating Australia in the Four Nations Rugby League Final. Photo: Photosport
"I was pretty aware of the players who'd won it before because they were players that I grew up watching like Stacey Jones and Andrew Johns. Then there were the current players that I admire like Thurston. To receive it is pretty unreal to be honest," says Johnson.
"I felt I finished the year really well and was able to take that into the Four Nations and was really happy with how I played for the Kiwis."
The panel of 13 judges comprised representatives from Australia, England, France and New Zealand, including former Golden Boot winner Garry Schofield, ex-Great Britain coach Brian Noble and past Kiwis internationals Robbie Hunter-Paul and Daryl Halligan.
On a six-man shortlist. Johnson claimed 44 points, Burgess 23, with James Graham third on 18 and Greg Inglis fourth with 17. Two-time winner Thurston - who missed the Four Nations through injury - polled 13 points and Kiwis prop Jesse Bromwich two.
Johnson is one of six Kiwis in the World world team of the year - the half's joined by Warriors team-mate Manu Vatuvei on the wing, their captain in both teams Simon Mannering is in the pack, where he's joined by Jesse Bromwich and Kevin Proctor, while centre Dean Whare also makes the side.
