World's best face off in final

Seven of the eight players shortlisted for the Golden Boot award for best Rugby League player in the world will line up in this weekend's Rugby League World Cup final between Australia and New Zealand.

Five players who have helped to guide Australia to the final - last year's winner Cameron Smith, Greg Inglis, Brent Kite, Billy Slater and Johnathan Thurston - are contenders as are the Kiwi duo Benji Marshall and Manu Vatuvei.

The other shortlisted player is England captain Jamie Peacock, who was runner-up in last year's award.

The award is decided by a group of 12 leading writers and former international stars including Wally Lewis, Garry Schofield, Peter Sterling and Hugh McGahan and will be presented in Sydney on November 29 at the annual Players' Association dinner.