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Three Highlanders Named in inaugural Team of the Year
18 June 2026
Last night the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific Awards were announced with Chiefs centre Quinn Tupaea crowned Player of the Year and NSW Waratahs young gun Sid Harvey claiming the competition's inaugural Rookie of the Year title.
Runners up in both categories were Highlanders players with Tupaea and Timoci Tavatavanawai finishing level on Player of the Year votes after Round 16. The Chiefs star held on to claim the honour via the tiebreaker of receiving more 'three votes' from the independent media panel across the season.
Meanwhile Harvey was a clear winner in the race for the Rookie of the Year title, with Lucas Casey finishing in second place.
Nine clubs were represented in the competition's inaugural Team of the Year, which was selected using the top performers in the Player of the Year voting across each position and the Highlanders had three players named in this team; Ethan de Groot (prop), Timoci Tavatavanawai (centres) and Caleb Tangitau (wing).
2026 Super Rugby Pacific Awards
Player of the Year
WINNER - Quinn Tupaea (Chiefs) - 43 votes
Timoci Tavatavanawai (Highlanders) - 43 votes
Anton Segner (Blues) - 41 votes
Max Jorgensen (NSW Waratahs) - 39 votes
Ben Donaldson (Western Force) - 39 votes
Rookie of the Year
WINNER - Sid Harvey (NSW Waratahs) - 27 votes
Lucas Casey (Highlanders) - 18 votes
Team of the Year
Props - Ethan de Groot (Highlanders), Xavier Numia (Hurricanes)
Hooker - Samisoni Taukei'aho (Chiefs)
2nd Row - Jeremy Williams (Western Force), Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (Queensland Reds)
Back Row - Anton Segner (Blues), Leicester Fainga'anuku (Crusaders), Fraser McReight (Queensland Reds)
Scrum Half - Ryan Lonergan (ACT Brumbies)
Fly Half - Ben Donaldson (Western Force)
Wingers - Max Jorgensen (NSW Waratahs), Caleb Tangitau (Highlanders)
Centres - Quinn Tupaea (Chiefs), Timoci Tavatavanawai (Highlanders)
Fullback - Jock Campbell (Queensland Reds)
ABOUT SUPER RUGBY PACIFIC AWARDS
For each regular season fixture, an independent media panel member submits 3-2-1 votes for their top three players from the game, alongside 3-2-1 votes submitted by the respective captains and coaches for their opposition. This robust voting system ensures the Super Rugby Pacific Awards program highlights the best performers across all teams in the competition while remaining primarily a peer-voted recognition.
ENDS
