Johnathan Thurston has capped off a remarkable 2015 by being awarded The Golden Boot for the world’s best rugby league player beating out Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and England’s Zak Hardaker.

“I’m still trying to come to terms with it,” Thurston told Rugby League World.

“It’s obviously been a big year on and off the field and to finish it off with the Golden Boot is very special.

“There’s a lot of great players in both hemispheres and to be voted as the best is very humbling.

“I’m still a little bit lost for words.”

This is Thurston’s third Golden Boot after winning it in 2011 and 2013.

It was an amazing twelve months for the little Queenslander, helping steer the Maroons to State of Origin glory, a record fourth Dally M win and North Queensland’s first ever premiership.

World XIII: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (New Zealand); Semi Radradra (Fiji), Kallum Watkins (England), James Roberts (Australia), Jermaine McGillvary (England); Anthony Milford (Samoa), Johnathan Thurston (Australia); Jesse Bromwich (New Zealand), Cameron Smith (Australia), Matt Scott (Australia), Josh Jackson (Australia), Boyd Cordner (Australia), Corey Parker (Australia).