Former Australia U20 star crowned Super Rugby AUS Player of the Tournament

Former Australia U20 international Boston Fakafanua has been crowned the 2026 Super Rugby AUS Player of the Tournament, with the 21-year-old recognised with the accolade after helping the Western Force win the Grand Final last weekend.

Fakafanua scored the match-winning try against the NSW Waratahs in round three, which saw the Force secure a home decider for the second time in as many seasons. The Force had been beaten by the Tahs in the 2025 Grand Final, but went one better this time around.

The Force piled on the points as they ran away with a 53-26 victory against the Waratahs at Perth’s Scotch College, with Fakafanua lining up at outside centre. Fakafanua started in all four matches as the Force capped off another Super Rugby AUS campaign with silverware.

Scrum-half Nathan Hastie finished as the Player of the Tournament runner-up behind Fakafanua, and 95-Test Wallaby Kurtley Beale rounded out the top three. These three took their place on an all-Force podium as a result of selections made by Rugby Australia High Performance staff.

The Force announced on June 15, 2026, that Fakafanua had re-signed with the club for another two years. Fakafanua had made a few appearances during the 2025 Super Rugby AUS campaign and debuted at Super Rugby Pacific level in May.

Fakafanua also has experience in age-grade representative rugby with the Australia U20s and the utility back has played for Sydney University in New South Wales’ Shute Shield this year.

“Obviously Boston has been with us now for a number of years,” Force coach Simon Cron said.

“He’s an exciting, driven player. He is powerful and fast. He’s a pleasure to coach.

“He got his debut this year for us at the Western Force. We see him as a long-term player in our environment, so we’re thrilled he has re-committed with us.”

Fakafanua added: “I’m stoked to re-sign. I can see the club is going in an awesome direction and really want to be here for that.

“I thoroughly enjoyed my first Super Rugby season and was able to really develop my game playing alongside guys like Kurtley Beale and Hamish Stewart. I do feel like I’ve been able to grow a lot in a short period of time.

“Now, I’ve had a taste of Super Rugby, I’m hoping to kick on and become a mainstay in the side next season and beyond.”