Fijian ‘pride’
RUGBY PAIR IN WORLD BEST AWARDS SHORTLIST
IT is a proud day for Fiji Rugby after two local-based players have been shortlisted in the World Rugby Awards 2022, says Fiji Rugby Union chief executive officer John O'Connor.
Fijiana 15s' Vitalina Naikore and Fiji 7s rep Kaminieli Rasaku are among the best players in the world nominated for World Rugby’s top awards for the season.
“It is a big moment for Fiji to be included in the world rugby awards,” O’Connor said.
“It is a break through in Fijian rugby among the top nations on world rugby and we are proud of their achievements.” Naikore, from a football background to one of the standouts in the inaugural Super W season, Oceania Rugby Women's Championship and the recent women's Rugby World Cup in New Zealand, is among nominees in the World Rugby Women's 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year award.
She’s up against Maud Muir of England, and New Zealand pair Maiakawanakaulani Roos and Ruby Tui.
Rasaku, 23, of Tailevu, plays club rugby with Bayonne in France after helping Fiji win the silver medal in the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham and the gold medal at the Rugby
World Cup Sevens in South Africa.
O’Connor said the feat was not only for the pair, but Fiji as a country.
“We congratulate them for their hard work. Getting recognised for World Rugby awards shows the depth of rugby Fiji now has in the global arena.”
The award winners are scheduled to be announced on Sunday.
World Rugby said fans could cast their vote on social media and select their winners for the two International Rugby Players Men's and Women's Try of the Year categories today, Thursday, November 17 at 23:59 GMT.
Twelve countries are represented among the nominees in Australia, Canada, Chile, England, Fiji, France, Italy, New Zealand, Scotland, South Africa and Wales.
Nominees:
World Rugby Men's 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year: Henry Arundell (England), Ange Capuozzo (Italy), Mack Hansen (Ireland), Dan Sheehan (Ireland). World Rugby Coach of the Year: Andy Farrell, Ireland Men's 15s, Fabien Galthié, France Men's 15s, Simon Middleton England Women's 15s, Wayne Smith, New Zealand Women's 15s. International Rugby Players Women's Try of the Year: Sylvia Brunt (NZ v Wales on October 16), Emily Chancellor (Australia v Eng on October 30), Abby Dow (Eng v Canada on Nov 5), Linda Djougang (Ire v Wales on March 26), Nomawethu Mabenge (South Africa v Spain on
August 12). International Rugby Players Men's Try of the Year: Rodrigo Fernandez (Chile, v USA on 9 July), Lalakai Foketi (Australia v France on 5 November), Chris Harris (Scotland, v Italy on 12 March), Edoardo Padovani (Italy, v Wales on 19 March), Louis Rees-Zammit (Wales, v South Africa on 2 July) World Rugby Women's Sevens Player of the Year: Charlotte Caslick (Aust), Maddison Levi (Aust), Amee Leigh Murphy Crowe (Ire), Faith Nathan (Aus) . World Rugby Men's Sevens Player of the Year: Terry Kennedy (Ire), Nick Malouf (Aus), Kaminieli Rasaku (Fiji), Corey Toole (Aust). World Rugby Men's 15s Player of the Year: Lukhanyo Am (RSA), Antoine Dupont (France), Johnny Sexton (Ire), Josh van der Flier (Ire). World Rugby Women's 15s Player of the Year: Sophie de Goede (Can), Ruahei Demant (NZ), Alex Matthews (Eng), Laure Sansus (Fra), Portia Woodman (NZ).