Another Super Rugby Pacific round is in the books, and there’s a new player joining two Wallabies at the top of the Player of the Year voting table.
Max Jorgensen and Ben Donaldson continue to dominate the standings, as they have done for a number of rounds, but it’s Highlanders and All Blacks midfielder Timoci Tavatavanawai who’s the big mover after round five.
The two-Test All Blacks impressed in the Highlanders’ defeat against the Crusaders in Christchurch last weekend, securing eight Player of the Year votes.
Amongst the other high scores for the round were Reds playmaker Carter Gordon (6) and All Blacks fullback Will Jordan (8), making their way up the leaderboard after five rounds.
Blues winger and former All Blacks Sevens flyer Cody Vai currently leads the Rookie of the Year honours, with Canterbury-based Blues loose-forward Torian Barnes, Johnny Lee, and Treyvon and Kadin Pritchard close behind.
“Super Rugby Pacific Player of the Year voting sees captains and head coaches of both teams nominate their top three players from the opposing team each week, allocating three votes, two votes, and one vote, respectively.”
PLAYER OF THE YEAR LEADERBOARD AFTER ROUND 5
Timoci Tavatavanawai (Highlanders) – 22
Max Jorgensen (NSW Waratahs) – 22
Ben Donaldson (Western Force) – 22
Charlie Cale (ACT Brumbies) – 20
Caleb Clarke (Blues) – 19
Quinn Tupaea (Chiefs) – 17
Will Jordan (Crusaders) – 17
Vaiolini Ekuasi (Western Force) – 16
Miracle Faiilagi (Moana Pasifika) – 15
Dalton Papali’i (Blues) – 15
Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa (Moana Pasifika) – 15
ROUND 5 VOTES
Hurricanes v Western Force
Cam Roigard (Hurricanes) – 5
Jeremy Williams (Force) – 5
Jordie Barrett (Hurricanes) – 4
Brad Shields (Hurricanes) – 4
Darby Lancaster (Force) – 3
Nick Champion De Crespigny (Force) – 3
Josh Moorby (Hurricanes) – 2
Devan Flanders (Hurricanes) – 2
Ben Donaldson (Force) – 1
Kurtley Beale (Force) – 1
Fijian Drua v ACT Brumbies
Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula (Drua) – 5
Rob Valetini (Brumbies) – 5
Isoa Nasilasila (Drua) – 4
Hudson Creighton (Brumbies) – 4
Motikai Murray (Drua) – 3
Tuaina Taii Tualima (Brumbies) – 2
Andy Muirhead (Brumbies) – 2
Elia Canakaivata (Drua) – 2
Luke Reimer (Brumbies) – 1
Tuidraki Samusamuvodre (Drua) – 1
Frank Lomani (Drua) – 1
Crusaders v Highlanders
Will Jordan (Crusaders) – 8
Timoci Tavatavanawai (Highlanders) – 8
Ethan Blackadder (Crusaders) – 5
Caleb Tangitau (Highlanders) – 2
Johnny Lee (Crusaders) – 2
Angus Ta’avao (Highlanders) – 2
Jack Taylor (Highlanders) – 2
Antonio Shalfoon (Crusaders) – 1
Queensland Reds v NSW Waratahs
Carter Gordon (Reds) – 6
Joey Walton (Waratahs) – 6
Jock Campbell (Reds) – 3
Isaac Henry (Reds) – 3
Fraser McReight (Reds) – 2
Matt Philip (Waratahs) – 2
Filipo Daugunu (Reds) – 2
Jack Debreczeni (Waratahs) – 2
Jamie Adamson (Waratahs) – 2
Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (Reds) – 1
Pete Samu (Waratahs) – 1
Blues v Moana Pasifika
Sam Darry (Blues) – 5
Dalton Papali’i (Blues) – 5
Millennium Sanerivi (Moana Pasifika) – 4
Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa (Moana Pasifika) – 3
Xavier Taele (Blues) – 3
Allan Craig (Moana Pasifika) – 3
Beauden Barrett (Blues) – 2
Patrick Pellegrini (Moana Pasifika) – 1
AJ Lam (Blues) – 1
William Havili (Moana Pasifika) – 1
Cody Vai (Blues) – 1
Taufa Funaki (Blues) – 1