Billy Slater has tipped Johnathan Thurston to win the 2013 Golden Boot award following another magnificent performance from the Australia playmaker in the Rugby League World Cup final.
Thurston was named man of the match and man of the series following the Kangaroos’ 34-2 win over New Zealand on Saturday at Old Trafford with his six goals taking him past Mick Cronin’s record of 309 points in internationals.
In a performance lauded by foamer Great Britain international Johnathan Davies as one of the most complete he’d ever seen, the Kangaroos were simply too good for the Kiwis, with Thurston the dominant figure throughout for Tim Sheens’ side.
“He is a great player and I’m very fortunate to play with him at State of Origin level as well as for Australia,” Slater said.
“He’s picked up our players player award and picked up the player of the series and thoroughly deserves it.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if he picked up the Golden Boot either. He’s a tremendous player. He’s not a super fast guy, he’s not a super big guy but he’s got a great football brain and he makes the right decisions most of the time.”
Thurston said the win was one of the highlights of his career and put it down to the dominance of the Kangaroos’ forwards.
“At the end of the game doing the lap of honour with your best mates it’s a memory that will last for a very long time,” Thurston said.
“There is a lot of great players in this side, our middle third was immense tonight and a lot of credit needs to go to our forwards.
“To keep this Kiwi side that has strike power all over the park to two points just typifies what this squad is all about.”
Thurston, along with Slater, Cameron Smith and Paul Gallen was a member of the side that lost the 2008 final to the Kiwis and the North Queensland said the victory in Manchester banished the memories of that shock defeat.
“Two thousand and eight still burns and to bring that trophy back to Australia for all our fans is what it’s all about,” he said.
“To be able to call myself a world champion in my sport is something I am very proud of.”