Image source, PA

And his week got better and better as he was awarded the Golden Boot for his performances at international level.

The St Helens winger beat James Tedesco, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and Elliott Whitehead to the award, which is handed out by the Rugby League International Federation.

That capped a fine season for Makinson, who scored 11 tries as Saints won the League Leaders' Shield and was named in Super League's Dream Team for the 2018 season.

He then followed up his try-scoring debut against New Zealand in Denver with a crucial role in England's series victory over the Kiwis this month, before last week's hat-trick.

First up, Tommy Makinson continued his fantastic year with England by running in a hat-trick of tries against the Kiwis last week...

Now, there's been a right royal verbal scrap between the hemispheres after the awarding of the Golden Boot this week. If you're sitting comfortably, we best start from the beginning...

If you click here, you can watch the winner-takes-all match between Ireland and Wales.

For Ireland and Wales, their game against each other will act as a straight knockout game, with the winner taking the remaining automatic spot for the World Cup in three years' time.

France became the ninth team to qualify for the 2021 World Cup after winning their first two games against Wales and Scotland to secure a top-two qualification spot with a game to spare.

Scotland and today's losers will still have a chance to qualify for the tournament when they join four other European hopefuls in the last qualifying stage, with four teams qualifying for the finals. Find out about more about that below.

Meanwhile, in the visitors' camp, New Zealand coach Michael Maguire has brought in 20-year-old Warriors forward Isaiah Papali'i for his Test debut while Jamayne Isaako replaced the injured Jordan Rapana on the right wing.

England forward George Burgess misses the final New Zealand Test after being found guilty of eye-gouging, having been suspended for four matches for the incident at Anfield last weekend.

An international panel found he had unlawfully come into contact with Kiwis full-back Dallin Watene-Zelezniak's eye late in the game.

South Sydney prop Burgess was also fined £500 in the disciplinary hearing.

Sam Tomkins was ruled out with a broken hand sustained at Anfield last week, while Daryl Clark injured a rib.

Meanwhile, captain Sean O'Loughlin has failed to recover from a calf injury he aggravated in the first Test.

So, Sam Tomkins and Daryl Clark miss out through injury from the side that beat New Zealand last time out, while George Burgess starts his four-game ban.

Richie Myler, Stefan Ratchford and Joe Greenwood replace them.

Yes, England head into the final Test of this three-match series against New Zealand knowing they've already been crowned champions after victories at Hull and Anfield.

And the country boasts a new golden boy...

But head coach Wayne Bennett won't be happy unless his side make it a clean sweep at Elland Road.

And we'll be bringing you all the action.

Image source, Getty Images

Two down. One to go...