Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
NZ NZ

Rookie voted best Australian Super Rugby player

By Online Editors
Naisarani picks up Australia's top Super Rugby award

In a small consolation for the exiled Western Force, Fijian-born backrower Isi Naisarani has been voted Australia’s best Super Rugby player in 2017 in his first season as a professional player.

ADVERTISEMENT

Naisarani finished top of the voting with 87 votes, ahead of Rebels backrower Amanaki Mafi (78), and Brumbies duo Allan Alaalatoa (69) and Henry Speight (64).

“On behalf of Australia’s players, I want to congratulate Isi for an exceptional achievement,” RUPA President Dean Mumm said.

“The challenges associated with playing for the Western Force in 2017 have been well-documented, yet Isi’s performances have been consistently outstanding despite the unsettling landscape.

Isi Naisarani’s rise in Australian rugby started three years ago where he played club rugby for Souths in Brisbane. A promotion with the Brisbane City NRC side in 2016 showed glimpses of potential where Naisarani scored five tries, leading to the Force jumping at the chance to sign him.

Following the Super Rugby season the Brumbies annouced they had secured the rising talent for 2018.

“That, coupled with his youth and inexperience heading into the season, only make his performances all the more remarkable.

ADVERTISEMENT

“The prospect of Isi competing for a Wallaby place in early 2019 is incredibly exciting, and I look forward to watching him continue to develop at the Brumbies in 2018.”

 

Naisarani is the third backrower to ever win the award after Pocock (2010 & 2015) and George Smith (2007 & 2008).

ADVERTISEMENT

Join free

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | Episode 6

Sam Warburton | The Big Jim Show | Full Episode

Japan Rugby League One | Sungoliath v Eagles | Full Match Replay

Japan Rugby League One | Spears v Wild Knights | Full Match Replay

Boks Office | Episode 10 | Six Nations Final Round Review

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | How can New Zealand rugby beat this Ireland team

Beyond 80 | Episode 5

Rugby Europe Men's Championship Final | Georgia v Portugal | Full Match Replay

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

B
Bull Shark 25 minutes ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

26 Go to comments
TRENDING
TRENDING Louis Rees-Zammit signs for Roc Nation ahead of his Kansas visit Louis Rees-Zammit signs for Roc Nation ahead of his Kansas visit
Search