Shaun Johnson is among the nominees for Kiwis player of the year. Photo / Getty
Golden Boot winner Shaun Johnson will face strong challenges from national captain Simon Mannering and prop Jesse Bromwich for 2014 Kiwis Player of the Year.
The international player categories will attract most attention at next week's New Zealand Rugby League Awards in Auckland.
Johnson was a standout during last year's
Four Nations triumph and received the prestigious Golden Boot from Rugby League World magazine in December.
But his achievements in the black jersey will have been weighed against Mannering's outstanding form across the entire season, when he was named Warriors Player of the Year for the fourth time, and Bromwich's elevation among the best front rowers in the game.
Honours for Kiwis Rookie of the Year come down to a contest among fullback Peta Hiku, second row Jason Taumalolo and prop Marty Taupau, all big contributors to the Four Nations success.
