Burgess, Thurston on Boot shortlist

Sam Burgess has been nominated for this year's Golden Boot
7 December 2013

England forward Sam Burgess and World Cup final man of the match Johnathan Thurston of Australia are among six players shortlisted for the 2013 Golden Boot.

They are joined by Huddersfield and Scotland captain Danny Brough, New Zealand back rower Sonny Bill Williams, Australia captain Cameron Smith and his Melbourne and Queensland team-mate Cooper Cronk.

Thurston and Smith will be bidding to join countrymen Darren Lockyer and Andrew Johns in taking the prestigious title twice, having been victorious in 2011 and 2007 respectively.

Brough, the 2013 Super League Man of Steel, is aiming to become only the fifth British winner of an award that goes back to 1984.

He cleaned up with the individual prizes in Super League in 2013, adding the Albert Goldthorpe Medal and Rugby League Writers' Association awards to his Man of Steel title after inspiring Huddersfield to their first top-table finish for 81 years, before going on to lead the Bravehearts to the quarter-finals of the World Cup.

Williams will be aiming to complete the double after being named player of the year at the Rugby League International Federation awards night in Manchester a week ago.

The award, to be decided by a panel of 13 judges including Brian Noble, Robbie Hunter-Paul, Andrew Voss, Daryl Halligan and BBC commentator Dave Woods, will be announced in the February edition of the Rugby League World magazine on Friday, January 17.

"We feel that the shortlist accurately reflects the players that have made the biggest impact in 2013, primarily on the international scene, which is what the Golden Boot judges are asked to consider first and foremost," Rugby League World editor Gareth Walker said.

"Each of those six players had outstanding World Cup campaigns and were vital in their sides' respective performances during the tournament.

"Further than that, each made a significant impact at domestic level during 2013, which will also be considered by the panel of judges."

Leeds and England captain Kevin Sinfield was the winner 12 months ago.

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