Annessa Biddle of the New Zealand Kiwi Ferns, 2024. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Kiwi Ferns second rower Annessa Biddle is among the finalists for the International Rugby League's Golden Boot Award.
The other finalists are Tarryn Aiken, Tiana Penitani and Tamika Upton of Australia, Jodie Cunningham of England and Annetta-Claudia Nu'uausala of Samoa.
Australia beat New Zealand 24-4 in the Pacific Cup final last weekend.
New Zealanders have won the last two awards.... Raecene McGregor in 2022 and Georgia Hale last year.
The women's 2024 IRL Golden Boot winner will be judged by Australian Jillaroos great Karyn Murphy, New Zealand dual code superstar Honey Hireme-Smiler and England international Danika Priim.
The IRL Golden Boot is awarded to the best player in sanctioned rugby league international matches each year.
The winners of the 2024 IRL Golden Boot awards will be announced in early December.
Meanwhile Kiwi Ferns captain Georgia Hale has undergone surgery on her neck just days after leading New Zealand in the Pacific Cup final against Australia.
Hale has been playing through the pain of a bulging disk sustained playing for the Gold Coast Titans in Round 2 of the NRLW season.
The NRL reports that Hale is expected to make a full recovery and be available for the 2025 pre-season.
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