Kalyn Ponga and Stacey Waaka have been crowned the best international rugby league players of 2026, winning the men's and women's IRL Golden Boot awards in Brisbane on Thursday night.

The New Zealand pair received their awards at a special function at Suncorp Stadium, where their Kiwis and Kiwi Ferns team-mates performed hakas in tribute to them, just three days before both New Zealand sides face Australia in the Rugby League World Cup finals at the same ground on Sunday.

Ponga and Waaka are the first New Zealand winners of the awards since 2023, when Kiwis captain James Fisher-Harris and Kiwi Ferns captain Georgia Hale took the honours.

Ponga edges out Walsh after dream debut campaign

Ponga, 28, edged out his World Cup final opposite number, Kangaroos fullback Reece Walsh, as well as Kiwis centre Casey McLean, Tonga centre Rob Toia and Samoa lock Francis Manuleleua to win the men's award.

It caps a remarkable first campaign in the black jersey for the Newcastle Knights fullback. On his Kiwis debut in the World Cup opener against Australia, he scored two tries, made two line breaks and ran for 254 metres before breaking his forearm, playing on for a further 20 minutes and eventually leaving the field in the 70th minute of the 24-20 defeat.

The injury needed immediate surgery and ruled him out of the Kiwis' remaining pool matches against the Cook Islands and Fiji. Just 23 days later, he made a stunning return in the semi-final against Tonga, recording three try assists, running for 198 metres and producing several try-saving tackles as New Zealand won 34-10 to reach their first World Cup final since 2013. He was named player of the match.

"I definitely made the right choice and I knew that from the moment I made it," Ponga said after receiving the award from his father, Andre. "I am not in this environment to win this award. There is a bigger goal at the end of it, but to do it in these colours, for this country and for my people is special."

Ponga had never played for Australia but chose to link with the Kiwis to honour his Maori heritage after representing the Maori All Stars. A change in international eligibility rules this season allowed him to represent New Zealand, a tier-one nation, while still being permitted to play State of Origin for Queensland.

"He's one of those players ... you know that he's really good, but when he's in your team, he's ... you know?" Kiwis coach and Kiwi great Stacey Jones said. "He's had a huge impact for us and how he played last week, just unbelievable to come back from a broken arm and slot in like that."

Waaka's nine tries power Kiwi Ferns

Waaka, a legend of New Zealand rugby union who has won Olympic sevens gold twice, took out the women's award after a breathtaking switch to rugby league.

Across four matches at this World Cup she has scored nine tries, including hat-tricks against France and Samoa, and contributed four try assists. She was named player of the match twice, on debut against Fiji and again in the semi-final win over Fetu Samoa, helping the Kiwi Ferns go unbeaten through the tournament and reach their seventh consecutive Grand Final appearance.

"I have never been in front of that haka and it hit me. It got me good," Waaka said after receiving the award. "I am not an emotional person, but they nearly got tears out of me. I am super proud to have them by my side. This award is a testament to my friends who have supported me throughout this journey and to my amazing teammates who make me look good on the field."

The Kiwi Ferns last lifted the World Cup trophy in 2008, also at Suncorp Stadium, with a 34-0 win over Australia. They will look to reclaim it on Sunday when they face the Jillaroos at 3.10pm local time, ahead of the men's final between the Kiwis and the Kangaroos at 6.35pm.

The Golden Boot is awarded to the best player in sanctioned international rugby league matches each year, and this year's awards do not take Sunday's finals into account. England's Rob Hawkins won the wheelchair Golden Boot for a third straight year, ahead of Friday night's wheelchair final in Wollongong between England and France.

Sources: New Zealand Rugby League and AAP