A controversial eligibility tweak has robbed code-hopping sensation Mark Nawaqanitawase of the chance to become the first winger crowned as rugby league's world player of the year.
Despite being the only player in the past 12 months to feature in Ashes and State of Origin series-winning sides as well as claim an NRL premiership, Nawaqanitawase won't feature on the short list of 2026 Golden Boot contenders.
That's because the International Rugby League has changed the criteria to performances only in Test matches and global tournaments, rendering NRL and Origin performances meaningless to the judges.
Given Australia has won the past three Rugby League World Cups and is on the verge of a fourth straight triumph, the rule changes have made the award somewhat of a mockery.
The IRL ditched the old format in 2018, apparently to avoid the award becoming like a second Dally M.
But Reece Walsh was cruelly denied the honour last year after the electrifying fullback virtually emulated two-time Golden Boot-winning recipient Darren Lockyer's 2006 feat of claiming the premiership, Origin series and a Tri Nations series for Australia.
While there's no denying his class, Kangaroos captain Harry Grant won the 2025 Golden Boot after beating up on England when most believed, under the new criteria, that New Zealand star Dylan Brown should have been feted after dominating the more compelling Pacific Nations Championships.
Even 2025 judge Petero Civoniceva accepts the "once-in--generation" Nawaqanitawase "most definitely" should be considered for the prestigious honour, given his extraordinary golden treble.
"When you look at all the performances of players that have caught the attention of the rugby league world, he's pretty much up there," Civoniceva told AAP on Friday.
"He's a player that's excited fans week in, week out and it's fantastic what he's been able to do in a couple of years in his time in rugby league - and obviously this year was wonderful.
"He's a once-in-a-generation player. Darren Lockyer was one of those in our game and, like Locky, certainly when players talk of special players, Mark's name will also be bandied about for years to come."
The Golden Boot lost some of its lustre the very year the rules where changed, when Englishman Tommy Makinson - who has just taken up a player-coach deal at the Coffs Harbour Comets in the NSW regional Group 2 competition - won the award in 2018.
Makinson had his name etched on a trophy decorated by the likes of league Immortals Wally Lewis, Mal Meninga and Andrew Johns and fellow legends Lockyer, Cameron Smith, Billy Slater, Johnathan Thurston, Brad Fittler, Peter Sterling and Benji Marshall.
Nawaqanitawase might have added his too had he played in the 2026 Rugby League World Cup being staged now in Australia.
Instead the 26-year-old has just arrived in Japan for a lucrative two-season stint with the Saitama Wild Knights under former Wallabies coach Robbie Deans.
And fellow Fijian-Australian Civoniceva can't begrudge him for cashing in on his rare talents, reminding fans that history shows wingers can be just as vital as the celebrated playmakers and fullbacks who usually win the major individual gongs.
"You think about influences players can have on a game or a competition or a season, names like David Campese and Jonah Lomu were highly influential and will be remembered among the greats of their era," Civoniceva said.
"And certainly Mark's put his name up in the same way and I'm really excited to see his progression.
"He's returned to rugby, but I'm sure all rugby league fans would love to see him back in rugby league one day.
"He's given us so much enjoyment and happiness week in and week out."
Australian Associated Press
