Penrith enforcer James Fisher-Harris has capped off another incredible campaign, earning the IRL Golden Boot award for his performances in the Pacific Championships.
The 27-year-old won a third-straight NRL premiership with the Panthers this season, before helping New Zealand to the inaugural end-of-year tournament with a dominant victory over Australia.
Fisher-Harris was shortlisted with fellow props Payne Haas and Joseph Tapine, as well as dummy-half Harry Grant, before being announced as the overall winner on Wednesday morning.
It was the first time a front-rower has won the award since its inception in 1984, with the voting panel including Darren Lockyer and James Graham deciding on the fearless Kiwis star.
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Kiwis prop James Fisher-Harris earns Golden Boot award
Following the announcement, departing coach Michael Maguire paid tribute to Fisher-Harris for his commitment to the jumper and his country, both on and off the field.
“I can't think of a better bloke to take out such a prestigious award... it’s thoroughly deserved," he said.
“In our time together, over the years, I have watched you grow from that young player to winning grand finals and now leading the Kiwis to an emphatic win against Australia, and creating a bit of history.
“You led right from the front, right from the time you walked into the month of the campaign that we had together.
"You're an absolute champion with the way you go about things, and there's a lot of reasons why you're such a success in rugby league.
"You have now created a little piece of history for yourself in the international space, along with such a great win.”
Your 2023 Golden Boot Winner: James Fisher-Harris 🏅 pic.twitter.com/USXChbuaEM
— NRL (@NRL) December 6, 2023
Fisher-Harris joins fellow countrymen Stacey Jones, Joseph Manu and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck in the list of winners.
Georgia Hale wins womens Golden Boot award
The other major recipient was Titans NRWL star Georgia Hale, who took out the female award for her performances in the Kiwi Ferns lineup in 2023.
“I play rugby league to win premierships or championships or World Cups, so to receive such an accolade like this is a very proud moment," she said.
"I think of how proud I am to be a Kiwi Fern and to represent the Ferns before and the Ferns to come.
“To finish off my season representing the Kiwi Ferns, breaking a seven-year drought back with the girls from back at home, just really put the icing on the cake but I don’t think you can ever be satisfied with what you have done.
“I am just really excited to see what the next steps are for me personally in my career and also with all the teams that I am so fortunate to take the field with."
Your 2023 Golden Boot Winner: Georgia Hale 🏅 pic.twitter.com/0PEHiD9PQW
— NRLW (@NRLWomens) December 6, 2023
French star Jérémy Bourson took out this year' wheelchair Golden Boot award and hopes to continue to assert the side's dominance in the game heading into the 2026 World Cup.
“It’s a great honour for me,” he said.
“There have only been three winners and I am the first Frenchman. It’s important to remember. A lot of people will really like seeing that and I’ll never forget this achievement.
“The next step for the French team is the World Cup, which we have already started preparing for. My singular aim is, very simply, to win the World Cup and the Golden Boot in 2026.”