Ardie Savea of Moana Pasifika. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
Moana Pasifika captain Ardie Savea has claimed the peer-voted Super Rugby Pacific Player of the Year title after establishing an unassailable lead in voting with two rounds remaining.
The 31-year-old collected the maximum six votes from opposition players in the weekend's 27-21 win over the Blues in Albany which saw Moana push their way into the top six playoff places.
Ardie Savea during the Highlanders v Moana Pasifika, Super Rugby Pacific match, Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin. Photo: Martin Hunter/ActionPress
He has 42 votes across the season so far, putting him beyond the reach of Brumbies forward Tom Hooper (31 votes) and Chiefs playmaker Damian McKenzie (28 votes) a fortnight out from the finals.
Savea has been an imposing force for Moana Pasifika on both sides of the ball in his 10 appearances this season, scoring five tries, making over 350 post-contact metres, completing 110 tackles and winning 15 turnovers.
His impact has also been reflected in Super Rugby Pacific Fantasy, with Savea the highest-scoring loose forward in the game and for six weeks of the competition, the most picked player.
Moana Pasifika currently occupy sixth position on the competition ladder, needing at least one win from their last two games to lock in their first-ever appearance in the playoffs.
"Ardie's passionate leadership and dominant performances for Moana Pasifika this year have made an indelible mark on his teammates, his opponents and our competition as a whole," Super Rugby Pacific CEO Jack Mesley said.
"He has received votes from the opposition in almost every game he has played this season, which reflects the consistency of his output and influence on his team.
"The Super Rugby Pacific Player of the Year being a peer-voted award, where our players are recognised on a weekly basis by their fellow players and coaches, gives it the greatest possible significance.
"We are delighted that Ardie Savea is the inaugural Super Rugby Pacific Player of the Year."
Kyren Taumoefolau and Moana Pasifika captain Ardie Savea. Photo: Michael Thomas/ActionPress
Savea will be formally presented the Player of the Year medal at Moana Pasifika's final regular season game against the Hurricanes in Wellington on Saturday 31 May.
SUPER RUGBY PACIFIC PLAYER OF THE YEAR LADDER (POST ROUND 14)
Ardie Savea - 42
Tom Hooper - 31
Damian McKenzie - 28
Carlo Tizzano - 27
Timoci Tavatavanawai - 26
Langi Gleeson - 26
Fraser McReight - 26
