Tavatavanawai joins Aussie duo in co-lead after Round Five of Super Rugby Pacific Player of the Year Voting

Mon, Mar 16, 2026, 8:57 PM
Nathan Williamson
by Nathan Williamson
Timoci Tavatavanawai has surged to tied top of the POTY voting. Photo: Getty Images

Highlanders centre Timoci Tavatavanawai has rocketed to the top of the Super Rugby Pacific Player of the Year voting after Round Five.

He joins Australian duo Max Jorgensen and Ben Donaldson in a three-way tie after a stellar outing in defeat to the Crusaders.

Watch every second of the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season live and on demand via Stan Sport.

The 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.

On top of this, the Player of the Year voting process has been bolstered for the upcoming season, with a panel of respected rugby media identities from across Australia, New Zealand and Fiji assembled to contribute votes on each game.

Player of the Year votes from each round will be announced on the competition website and social media channels each Tuesday, until the voting goes behind closed doors following Round 10.

Here is how they voted:

Western Force v Hurricanes

5 - Cam Roigard (HUR), Jeremy Williams (FOR)

4 - Jordie Barrett (HUR), Brad Shields (HUR)

3 - Darby Lancaster (FOR), Nick Champion de Crespigny (FOR)

2 - Josh Moorby (HUR), Devan Flanders (HUR)

1- Ben Donaldson (FOR), Kurtley Beale (FOR)

Fijian Drua v ACT Brumbies

5 - Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula (FJI), Rob Valetini (ACT)

4 - Isoa Nasilasila (FJI), Hudson Creighton (BRU)

3 - Motikiai Murray (FJI)

2 - Elia Canakaivata (FJI), Andy Muirhead (ACT), Tuaina Taii Tualima (ACT)

1 - Frank Lomani (FJI), Tuidraki Samusamuvodre (FJI), Luke Reimer (ACT)

Crusaders v Highlanders

8 - Timoci Tavatavanawai (HIG), Will Jordan (CRU)

5 - Ethan Blackadder (CRU)

2 - Caleb Tangitau (HIG), Johnny Lee (CRU), Jack Taylor (HIG), Angus Ta’avao (HIG)

1 - Antonio Shalfoon (CRU)

Queensland Reds v NSW Waratahs

6 - Carter Gordon (RED), Joey Walton (NSW)

3 - Jock Campbell (RED), Isaac Henry (RED)

2 - Fraser McReight (RED), Matt Philip (NSW), Filipo Daugunu (RED), Jack Debreczeni (WAR), Jamie Adamson (NSW)

1 - Pete Samu (NSW), Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (RED)

Blues v Moana Pasifika

5 - Dalton Papali’i (BLU), Sam Darry (BLU)

4 - Millennium Sanerivi (MOA)

3 - Semisi Tupou Ta’eiola (MOA), Allan Craig (MOA), Xavi Taele (BLU)

2 - Beauden Barrett (BLU)

1 - Patrick Pellegrini (MOA), AJ Lam (BLU), Codemuru Vai (MOA), William Havili (MOA), Tafua Funaki (BLU)

Super Rugby Pacific Player of the Year Voting after Round Five

22 - Ben Donaldson (FOR), Max Jorgensen (NSW), Timoci Tavatavanawai (HIG)

20 - Charlie Cale (ACT)

19 - Caleb Clarke (BLU)

17 - Quinn Tupaea (CHI), Will Jordan (CRU)

16 - Vaiolini Ekuasi (FOR)

15 - Dalton Papali’i (BLU), Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa (MOA)

14 - Jordie Barrett (HUR), Leroy Carter (CHI)

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