Panthers stars Casey McLean, Isaiah Papali’i and Moses Leota have been nominated for the prestigious 2025 IRL Golden Boot.
The Golden Boot is awarded annually to the player of the year in international matches, with 2025 nominations made on the back of the Pacific Championships and Ashes series.
Casey McLean, at just 19 years of age, aims to join Israel Folau as the youngest-ever IRL Golden Boot winner. After a stunning Test debut for New Zealand in 2024, McLean has continued his remarkable form for the Kiwis this year. The Panthers youngster has scored seven tries in just three Test appearances for New Zealand to date.
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Casey McLean carves through for Kiwis
Fellow Panthers and New Zealand teammates Moses Leota and Isaiah Papali’i also earnt nominations. The pair have been key in the Kiwis’ run to the Pacific Cup Final, where they are set to face Toa Samoa.
Golden Cap recipients Darren Lockyer, Cameron Smith, Ruben Wiki, James Graham and Petero Civoniceva, who are among just nine players to have played 50 or more internationals, will choose the 2025 IRL Golden Boot winner.
The IRL Golden Boot has been won by a Panthers player in each of the past two years; James Fisher-Harris (New Zealand) was the 2023 winner, before Isaah Yeo (Australia) claimed it in 2024.
The 2025 IRL Golden Boot recipient will be announced in early December.
2025 IRL Golden Boot nominees
- Dylan BROWN (New Zealand)
- Jahream BULA (Fiji)
- Reuben COTTER (Australia)
- Angus CRICHTON (Australia)
- Harry GRANT (Australia)
- Edwin IPAPE (Papua New Guinea)
- Payne HAAS (Samoa)
- Lachlan LAM (Papua New Guinea)
- Moses LEOTA (New Zealand)
- Jarome LUAI (Samoa)
- Casey McLEAN (New Zealand)
- Cameron MUNSTER (Australia)
- Jeremiah NANAI (Samoa)
- Isaiah PAPALI’I (New Zealand)
- Junior PAULO (Samoa)
- Jeremiah NANAI (Samoa)
- Joseph TAPINE (New Zealand)
- Matthew TIMOKO (New Zealand)
- Reece WALSH (Australia)
