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Rugby League

Peacock outshone by Smith

30/11/2007

Great Britain captain Jamie Peacock has been pipped to the 2007 Rugby League World Golden Boot by Australian hooker Cameron Smith.

The Melbourne Storm kicker and captain polled ahead of Peacock in the voting of the 14 panellists, who placed Smith's fellow Australian Johnathan Thurston in third.

Peacock led Great Britain to an impressive 3-0 series victory over New Zealand, which included a 44-0 thrashing at Hull's KC Stadium earlier this month.

Smith, who has been capped by State of Origin side Queensland as well as Australia, was also the captain of his country when they handed a similarly humiliating defeat to the Kiwis with a 58-0 rout in October.

"I'm quite shocked actually," Smith told Rugby League World magazine.

"It's capped off a great year and I'm made up to have won it. It's a season I will remember for the rest of my life."

Smith's Queensland State of Origin coach Mal Meninga, who won the award in 1990, told the magazine: "The Golden Boot is a fantastic award to win and Cameron thoroughly deserves it."

Peacock was also included in the World XIII, along with Leeds Rhinos and Lions team-mate Gareth Ellis and Wigan Warriors stand-off Trent Barrett.

Great Britain coach Tony Smith was also honoured following the series whitewash over New Zealand.