POTY voting goes behind closed doors as German-born loosie rises

All Blacks midfielder Quinn Tupaea continues to lead the table by nine points, over Force and Wallabies first-five Ben Donaldson.

In the first game of round ten at Eden Park in Auckland, in-form Blues loose-forward Anton Segner claimed eight points after winning man-of-the-match in each of the last three games for Vern Cotter’s side.

Highlanders halfback Adam Lennox impressed with his performance against the Blues, taking home eight points.

Moana Pasifika’s halfback Melani Matavao was a standout for Tana Umaga’s side against the Waratahs on Friday night, securing seven votes while Harvey and Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa earned six.

Chiefs fullback Liam Coombes-Fabling earned the most votes in the top-of-the-table clash in Hamilton with six, with Asafo Aumua taking home five.

In the final game of Super Rugby Pacific round ten on Saturday night, Force scrum-half Henry Robertson and Crusaders midfielder Leicester Fainga’anuku both secured six points.

“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,” Super Rugby said.

“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.”

Here is how they voted:

Blues v Highlanders

8 – Anton Segner (BLU)

7 – Adam Lennox (HIG)

5 – Hoskins Sotutu (BLU)

4 – Timoci Tavatavanawai (HIG)

3 – Dalton Papali’i (BLU)

2 – Ethan de Groot (HIG)

1 – Codemeru Vai (BLU)

NSW Waratahs v Moana Pasifika

7 – Melani Matavao (MOA)

6 – Sid Harvey (NSW), Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa (MOA)

5 – Pete Samu (NSW)

2 – Jake Gordon (NSW), Miracle Faiilagi (MOA)

1 – Angus Scott-Young (NSW), Jack Debreczeni (NSW)

Chiefs v Hurricanes

6 – Liam Coombes-Fabling (CHI)

5 – Asafo Aumua (HUR)

3 – Peter Lakai (HUR), Luke Jacobson (CHI), Simon Parker (CHI)

2 – Cam Roigard (HUR), Xavier Numia (HUR), Wallace Sititi (CHI)

1 – Jordie Barrett (HUR), Du’Plessis Kirifi (HUR), Quinn Tupaea (CHI), Kyren Taumoefolau (CHI)

ACT Brumbies v Fijian Drua

6 – Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula (FJI)

3 – Kitione Salawa (FJI), Virimi Vakatawa (FJI), Issak Fines-Leleiwasa (FJI), Ryan Lonergan (ACT), David Feliuai (ACT)

2 – Manasa Mataele (FJI), Lachlan Shaw (ACT), Corey Toole (ACT), Tom Wright (ACT)

1 – Declan Meredith (ACT)

Western Force v Crusaders

6 – Henry Robertson (FOR), Leicester Fainga’anuku (CRU)

5 – Carlo Tizzano (FOR)

3 – Ben Donaldson (FOR), Zac Lomax (FOR), Johnny McNicholl (CRU)

2 – George Bell (CRU), Sevu Reece (CRU)

Super Rugby Pacific Player Of The Year Voting After Round 10

43 – Quinn Tupaea (CHI)

34 – Ben Donaldson (FOR)

29 – Ryan Lonergan (ACT)

28 – Max Jorgensen (NSW), Miracle Faiilagi (MOA)

26 – Timoci Tavatavanawai (HIG)

25 – Will Jordan (CRU)

23 – Caleb Tangitau (HIG)

21 – Semisi Tupou Ta’eiola (MOA)

20 – Charlie Cale (ACT)

Six players on 19 points

Rookie Of The Year

19 – Sid Harvey (NSW)

9 – Nic Shearer (HIG)

6 – Joel Lam (MOA), Malachi Wrampling (BLU), Codemeru Vai (BLU)

4 – Lucas Casey (HIG)

3 – Dominic Ropeti (MOA), Iosefo Namoce (FJI), Zac Lomax

2 – Clem Halaholo (NSW), Treyvon Pritchard (QLD), Johnny Lee (CRU), Kadin Pritchard (ACT), Torian Barnes (BLU)