Wallabies No.10 joins POTY co-lead while ROTY leader pulls away

Wallabies first-five Ben Donaldson has re-joined the Player of the Year lead after seven rounds of Super Rugby Pacific, while one up-and-coming outside back is seven points clear in the Rookie of the Year standings.

Donaldson picked up five points in the Western Force’s narrow defeat against the Chiefs on Saturday night, taking him to 27 points overall and the co-lead with All Blacks midfielder Quinn Tupaea.

Tupaea also tops the charts after securing another four points, but it was his captain, Luke Jacobson, who took home eight points from the Perth fixture.

Friday night’s contest between the Highlanders and Moana Pasifika handed out eight points to electrifying winger Caleb Tangitau, who moves up to tied third on the standings with 22 points.

Highlanders debutant Nic Shearer boosted his way up the ROTY standings with six points, while Moana Pasifika’s Paula Latu secured an impressive seven points.

Australia U20 star and Waratahs outside back Sid Harvey is now clear of his ROTY counterparts, taking home seven points in their win against the Brumbies on Friday night, going seven points ahead of Joel Lam and Shearer.

Hurricanes hat-trick hero Fehi Fineanganofo acquired six points in their Hnry Stadium fixture against the Queensland Reds, before Blues captain and All Blacks lock Sam Darry, won five votes against the Fijian Drua at Eden Park.

Here is how they voted in round seven:

“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.”

Highlanders v Moana Pasifika

8 – Caleb Tangitau (HIG)

7 – Paula Latu (MOA)

6 – Nic Shearer (HIG)

3 – Dominic Ropeti (MOA)

2 – Allan Craig (MOA), Veveni Lasaqa (HIG)

1 – Miracle Faiilagi (MOA), Taniela Tele’a (HIG)

ACT Brumbies v NSW Waratahs

7 – Sid Harvey (NSW)

6 – Rob Valetini (ACT)

3 – Jack Debreczeni (NSW), Pete Samu (NSW)

2 – Ryan Lonergan (ACT), Declan Meredith (ACT), Lachie Shaw (ACT)

1 – Max Jorgensen (NSW), Clem Halaholo (NSW), Andrew Kellaway (NSW), Rory Scott (ACT), Billy Pollard (ACT)

Hurricanes v Queensland Reds

6 – Fehi Fineanganofo (HUR)

5 – Hunter Paisami (QLD), Ruben Love (HUR)

3 – Jock Campbell (QLD), Seru Uru (QLD), Warner Dearns (HUR), Du’Plessis Kirifi (HUR)

1 – Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (QLD), Jordie Barrett (HUR)

Blues v Fijian Drua

5 – Sam Darry (BLU)

4 – Bradley Slater (BLU)

3 – Frank Lomani (FJI), Tuidraki Samusamuvodre (FJI), Iosefo Namoce (FJI), Beauden Barrett (BLU), Anton Segner (BLU)

2 – Mesake Doge (FJI)

1 – Ponipate Loganimasi (FJI), Etonia Waqa (FJI), Malachi Wrampling (BLU), AJ Lam

Western Force v Chiefs

8 – Luke Jacobson (CHI)

5 – Ben Donaldson (FOR), Josh Jacomb (CHI)

4 – Jeremy Williams (FOR), Quinn Tupaea (CHI)

3 – Max Burey (FOR)

1 – Damian McKenzie (CHI)

Super Rugby Pacific Player of the Year Voting after Round Seven

27 – Ben Donaldson (FOR), Quinn Tupaea (CHI)

23 – Max Jorgensen (NSW), Will Jordan (CRU)

22 – Timoci Tavatavanawai (HIG), Caleb Tangitau (HIG)

20 – Miracle Faiilagi (MOA), Charlie Cale (ACT), Ryan Lonergan (ACT)

19 – Caleb Clarke (BLU)

18 – Fehi Fineanganofo (HUR)

17 – Cam Roigard (HUR), Jordie Barrett (HUR), Declan Meredith (ACT)

16 – Vailoni Ekuasi (FOR)

15 – Semisi Tupou Ta’eiola (MOA), Dalton Papali’i (BLU)

Rookie of the Year

13 – Sid Harvey (NSW)

6 – Joel Lam (MOA), Nic Shearer (HIG)

5 – Codemeru Vai (BLU)

4 – Lucas Casey (HIG)

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

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

1 – Clem Halaholo (NSW), Malachi Wrampling (BLU)