Rugby league icon Greg Alexander says the Golden Boot award has “lost its meaning” after Payne Haas was nominated despite playing just two Tests for the Kangaroos.
Haas joined English halfback Harry Smith and Kiwis internationals James Fisher-Harris and Joseph Tapine as the four nominees.
The Broncos star’s two appearances for Australia came during the Pacific Championships, with one of them the 30-0 drubbing at the hands of the Kiwis in the final.
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“The Golden Boot has lost its meaning,” Alexander told SEN.
“If someone can win an award and play two games, one of which they were smashed (then) it takes away from what the Golden Boot used to be.
“How can you be the best player of the year internationally when you are being judged off two or three games?
“It needs to be revamped.”
Alexander’s comments came as leading NRL commentator Andrew Voss labelled Haas’ nomination a “farce”.
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The Golden Boot initially weighed in club performances, but that changed in 2017 when the criteria was tweaked to make international performances the only thing considered.
Roosters and Kiwis star Joseph Manu was awarded the Golden Boot last year. If Haas is successful, he will be the first Australian to win the Golden Boot since Cameron Smith’s win in 2017.
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