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Wallabies centre secures full POTY votes as All Black storms clear

Hunter Paisami (Photo by David Davies/PA Images via Getty Images)

Wallabies centre Hunter Paisami has taken home full votes after the Reds’ historic victory over the Crusaders on Saturday, while All Blacks midfielder Quinn Tupaea has shown no sign of slowing down.

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Paisami was impressive as the Reds broke a 15-year hoodoo against the Crusaders, notching up nine points from the contest. Jock Campbell was the next best on the night, earning four points from Suncorp Stadium.

In Friday night’s grudge-match in Dunedin between the Highlanders and the ACT Brumbies, Wallabies halfback Ryan Lonergan was the biggest winner, taking home six points. All Blacks loosehead prop Ethan de Groot secured four points, with four other players sharing two points each.

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It was a historic afternoon in Rotorua for All Blacks playmaker Damian McKenzie, becoming the all-time top try-scorer for the Chiefs. Pairing that milestone with seven Player of the Year votes, Saturday afternoon’s contest was a positive day out for the 74-Test All Black.

Moana Pasifika captain Miracle Faiilagi starred in a disappointing performance from the North Harbour-based franchise, adding six points to his overall tally.

Tupaea, who has led the Player of the Year voting for large parts of the campaign so far, scored another double in round nine, securing six points from the Rotorua contest, taking his tally to 42 in 2026.

Fijian Drua’s Virimi Vakatawa earned eight points in their matchup against the Western Force in Lautoka, whilst  Wallabies lock Jeremy Williams added seven points to his season total.

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Versatile Hurricanes fullback Callum Harkin helped his side overcome the Blues in Wellington on Saturday night, gaining seven votes from the panel.

Here is how the players voted in round nine.

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Highlanders v ACT Brumbies

6 – Ryan Lonergan (ACT)

4 – Ethan de Groot (HIG)

3 – Jack Taylor (HIG), Jona Nareki (HIG), Nic Shearer (HIG), Rory Scott (ACT)

2 – Allan Alaalatoa (ACT), Luke Reimer (ACT)

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1 – TK Howden (HIG), Caleb Tangitau (HIG), Billy Pollard (ACT), Corey Toole (ACT)

Moana Pasifika v Chiefs

7 – Damian McKenzie (CHI)

6 – Miracle Faiilagi (MOA), Quinn Tupaea (CHI)

4 – Solomon Alaimalo (MOA)

2 – Patrick Pellegrini (MOA), Liam Coombes-Fabling (CHI), Kyren Taumoefolau (CHI)

1 – Samipeni Finau (CHI)

Fijian Drua v Western Force

8 – Virimi Vakatawa (FJI)

7 – Jeremy Williams (FOR)

5 – Henry Robertson (FOR)

3 – Isikeli Rabit (FJI), Isoa Nasilasila (FJI)

1 – Harry Johnson-Holmes (FOR), Vailoni Ekuasi (FOR), Isikeli Basiyalo (FJI), Elia Canakaivata (FJI)

Hurricanes v Blues

7 – Callum Harkin (HUR)

6 – Anton Segner (BLU)

5 – Malachi Wrampling (BLU)

4 – Xavier Numia (HUR)

3 – Warner Dearns (HUR)

2 – Billy Proctor (HUR)

1 – Peter Lakai (HUR), Beauden Barrett (BLU), Zarn Sullivan (BLU)

Queensland Reds v Crusaders

9 – Hunter Paisami (QLD)

4 – Jock Campbell (QLD)

3 – Dom Gardiner (CRU), Christian Lio-Willie (CRU)

2 – Josh Flook (QLD), Kalani Thomas (QLD), Jamie Hannah (CRU), Leicester Fainga’anuku (CRU), Sevu Reece (CRU)

1 – Jeffery Toomaga-Allen (QLD)

Super Rugby Pacific Player of the Year Voting after Round Nine

42 – Quinn Tupaea (CHI)

31 – Ben Donaldson (FOR)

28 – Max Jorgensen (NSW)

26 – Miracle Faiilagi (MOA), Ryan Lonergan (ACT)

25 – Will Jordan (CRU)

23 – Caleb Tangitau (HIG)

22 – Timoci Tavatavanawai (HIG)

20 – Charlie Cale (ACT)

19 – Jeremy Williams (FOR), Caleb Clarke (BLU)

18 – Jock Campbell (QLD), Fehi Fineanganofo (HUR)

Six players on 17 points

Rookie of the Year

13 – Sid Harvey (NSW)

9 – Nic Shearer (HIG)

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

5 – Codemeru Vai (BLU)

4 – Lucas Casey (HIG)

3 – Dominic Ropeti (MOA), Iosefo Name (FJI)

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

“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 announced at the start of the season.

“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.”

Watch Super Rugby Pacific live and free on RugbyPassTV in the USA! 

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Comments

3 Comments
J
Jon 46 mins ago

Not sure why Filipo Dangunu didn’t get any votes. I thought he played the house down equally as much as the centre pairing who were also very good.

J
Jordon 2 hours ago

The fact that cam roigard isn’t even on the list, and that 3 of the top 4 players are from cellar-dwelling teams shows the format for selecting this is deeply flawed. The best player on a very bad team will inevitably get the points most weeks.


Can’t really argue with Quinn being there, but again he’s been the most consistent performer on a team which has been up and down.


Roigard and jordie have been the best players on the best team, but because the hurricanes players have been excellent throughout, the points have been shared by several of their players over the games.

J
JW 15 mins ago

Theyre just copying league, no one really cares (it’s not a competition). But obviously the best teams get more votes, as it includes finals.

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