Valentine Holmes is a better winger than Thomas Makinson. Nobody can argue with that.

Thomas Makinson is a very good winger. But Valentine Holmes is the best winger in the world.

It's a farce really. The sport doesn't have enough international games in a year to start giving out awards like this. The Golden Boot should go to the player who could arguably be called the best performer in the sport over a year.

Sorry forgot about that.

It’s not against New Zealand though as they lost to them.

Speaking of Tonga how about Jason Taumalola? His decision to play for them has breathed a bit of life into what is a really poor international scene.

Surely that deserves some recognition?

Come on, Makinson has had 3 outstanding eye catching international games give him some credit for that.

To squeeze the last drops of sour grapes if Inglis, Lewis, Meninga, Slater played in a similar 3 internationals and put in a performance less than Makinson then according to a few posters on here Makinson wouldn't win the award because those other players in generality are better.

It should be for the whole game not internationals anymore. Or would scrap it every year and only put in World Cup years or when there is proper touring sides again.

The golden boot should be the best player in the world not simply the best player in international games. International games, rep games and finals rugby should hold a higher regard but everything should be considered.
Makinson has had a great season but in terms of big games has had one good game and one excellent game. For me Whitehead has had a great season and and 2 excellent games in the test series, which would make him a more worthy winner for me.
I actually think Latrell Mitchell has been more influential than Tedesco but wasn't even considered.
I think they need to change the criteria for the golden boot especially when Australia seem to decide the international calender.

It's a subjective award. Any particular reason why it should be taken any more seriously than Sky's MOTM?

Here is a constructive proposal:

Have the Golden Boot selection include the Dally M winner, the Man of Steel winner, and also the international games. That would make it more objective.

If that had happened this year, I think the Golden Boot would probably go to New Zealand's Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.

It should be Tom Johnstone

Give it rest for Pete's sake.

Agree, Latrell's had an awesome year but seen as they've changed the criteria it is what it is.

I'm glad an English lad won it tbh even if it's just for the reaction from the Aussies. Saying that if the time period goes all the way back to the World Cup Final I think Whitehead is seriously unlucky not to get it - when was the last time he had a poor game for England.

Anyway well done TM.

The time period really is the only issue wrong with it imo. Just have it for all 2018 internationals. Going from the last game of 2017 up to the penultimate game of 2018 is just strange. Whoever has a great game on Sunday presumably takes pole position for an award given 12 months from now where most people will probably have forgotten the players petformance by then and thus will rate the more recent performances better.