Chiefs centre Quinn Tupaea has been crowned the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific Player of the Year after edging out Highlanders star Timoci Tavatavanawai on a dramatic tiebreak.
Join RUCK’s Instagram broadcast channel and get the latest rugby news straight to your phone.
The pair finished level on 43 votes following Round 16, but Tupaea claimed the competition’s top individual honour after receiving more three-vote performances from the independent media panel throughout the season.
NSW Waratahs rising star Sid Harvey was another major winner, comfortably securing the inaugural Rookie of the Year award after an outstanding breakthrough campaign. Harvey finished on 27 votes, well clear of Highlanders youngster Lucas Casey on 18.
The annual awards also saw the inaugural Super Rugby Pacific Team of the Year unveiled, with nine of the competition’s 11 clubs represented in the XV.
Queensland Reds led the way with three selections, while the Highlanders, Chiefs and Western Force each had two players included. The ACT Brumbies, Blues, Crusaders, Hurricanes and NSW Waratahs were also represented.
Super Rugby Pacific CEO Jack Mesley praised the standard of performances throughout the season.
“Quinn Tupaea is a most deserving winner of the Player of the Year Award, having been one of the competition’s most consistent star performers and playing a leading role in the success the Chiefs have enjoyed in 2026,” Mesley said.
“I would also like to congratulate Sid Harvey on becoming the inaugural Rookie of the Year. In his breakthrough season with the Waratahs we saw the skill and confidence to suggest he has a very bright future ahead of him.
“We’re also delighted to announce the Team of the Year and for the first time formally recognise excellence across every position on the field. Our sincere congratulations to all the players who earned selection in 2026.”
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
*Tupaea won on the tiebreak after recording more three-vote performances during the season.
Rookie of the Year
- Winner: Sid Harvey (NSW Waratahs) – 27 votes
- Lucas Casey (Highlanders) – 18 votes
Team of the Year
15 Jock Campbell (Queensland Reds)
14 Max Jorgensen (NSW Waratahs)
13 Timoci Tavatavanawai (Highlanders)
12 Quinn Tupaea (Chiefs)
11 Caleb Tangitau (Highlanders)
10 Ben Donaldson (Western Force)
9 Ryan Lonergan (ACT Brumbies)
8 Fraser McReight (Queensland Reds)
7 Leicester Fainga’anuku (Crusaders)
6 Anton Segner (Blues)
5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (Queensland Reds)
4 Jeremy Williams (Western Force)
3 Xavier Numia (Hurricanes)
2 Samisoni Taukei’aho (Chiefs)
1 Ethan de Groot (Highlanders)
LATEST RUGBY NEWS
- Grant Williams confirms next move with immediate effect
- Trophy unveiled for 2026 Nations Championship – It’s a thing of beauty
- Rugby’s Ultimate Hard Men: The Hardest XV of All Time
- “Lions Den” – Springboks legend Victor Matfield – Bulls ready for Croke Park ‘tribalism’ in URC Final
- 10 Rugby Stars to Swap Nations Before 2027 Rugby World Cup
