Ardie Savea clinches inaugural Super Rugby Pacific Player of the Year Award
Ardie Savea wins the first Super Rugby Pacific Player of the Year award
©PA
In a landmark achievement for Pacific rugby, Ardie Savea has been named the inaugural Super Rugby Pacific Player of the Year.
The 31-year-old captain of Moana Pasifika received the prestigious peer-voted honour with two rounds still left in the regular season, securing 42 points—well ahead of his nearest competitors, Tom Hooper of the Brumbies (31 points) and Damian McKenzie of the Chiefs (28 points).
Savea’s dominance throughout the season has been indisputable. He earned maximum points in his side’s momentous 27-21 win over the Auckland Blues, a performance that highlighted his leadership and match-winning influence.
With five tries, more than 350 post-contact metres, 110 tackles, and 15 turnovers across just ten appearances, his on-field contributions have been exceptional.
“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.”
This honour reflects not only his individual brilliance but also his commitment to uplifting a team that has been pushing to make its mark.
Moana Pasifika, which represents the Pacific Island nations in the competition, is currently in sixth place and on track for a historic maiden playoff appearance—an achievement many attribute to Savea’s influence on and off the field.
The award is set to be presented during Moana Pasifika’s final regular season clash against the Hurricanes on May 31.
