Halifax Panthers and England Wheelchair star Rob Hawkins has won the 2026 IRL Wheelchair Golden Boot, claiming the prestigious international award for a third successive year.

Having made history in 2025 as the first player in any form of rugby league to win back-to-back Golden Boots, the Panthers ace has extended that remarkable sequence with another year of international recognition.

His latest success follows his awards in 2024 and 2025 and comes as England prepare to face France in the Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup Final in Wollongong, tomorrow, Friday.

Hawkins, who scored five tries in Tuesday's 86-18 semi-final win over Australia, was joined on the shortlist by England team-mate Joe Coyd, with the pair recognised alongside leading players from France, Ireland and Australia.

placeholder image — Halifax Panthers' Rob Hawkins.

France trio Jeremy Bourson, Nicolas Clausells and Dany Denuwelaere were also nominated, together with Ireland captain Joe Calcott and Australia’s Bayley McKenna and Adam Tannock.

But Hawkins came out on top at the Brisbane awards event, in doing so becoming only the second player in history, iconic former Queensland State of Origin and Kangaroos star Johnathan Thurston is the other, across the men's, women's and wheelchair game to win the Golden Boot on three occasions.

The 25 year-old has enjoyed another terrific season which also saw him win the Super League Wheels of Steel award for the first time, scoring more than 500 points as hometown Halifax secured the treble for a second successive year.

The IRL Golden Boot recognises the best player in sanctioned rugby league international matches each year.

The Wheelchair award is selected by a panel comprising Malcolm Kielty MBE, one of the sport’s founding fathers and a former Ireland team manager; World Cup winner and England heritage player number one Wayne Boardman; former Australia captain Brad Grove; former France coach Sylvain Crismanovich; and IRL Wheelchair Rugby League Advisory Group Secretary David Butler.

For Hawkins, the award provides a personal milestone ahead of England’s bid for World Cup glory, with fellow nominee Coyd alongside him as they prepare for Friday’s final against France.

New Zealand star Kalyn Ponga, who recovered from a broken arm suffered in the first game of the World Cup to return in their epic semi-final victory over Tonga, won the Men's Golden Boot.

Fellow Kiwi Stacey Waaka claimed the title in the women's game.