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Investec Champions Cup

Leone Nakarawa scoops major award

By Online Editors

12 May 2018

Leone Nakawara

Leone Nakarawa has been rewarded for an outstanding European campaign by being named EPCR European Player of the Year for 2018.

The big Fijian lock helped Racing 92 reach the Champions Cup final in which they were narrowly defeated by Leinster at Bilbao’s San Mamés Stadium.

The winner of the award was determined by a combination of a public vote and the verdict of an expert panel. A record 21,000 votes were registered from fans since the list of nominees for the award was named at the end of January.

To scoop the award Nakarawa fought off Racing teammate Maxime Machenaud along with Leinster’s star trio of Scott Fardy, Tadhg Furlong and Johnny Sexton to become the first Top 14 player to win the award since 2015.

His performances in the Champions Cup received widespread acclaim throughout the season with his try in Racing’s quarter-final win at Clermont voted as the best of the knockout rounds on ChampionsCupRugby.com.

Nakarawa is in elite company, with previous winners of the award including the likes of Owen Farrell, Jonny Wilkinson and Ronan O’Gara.

The 30-year-old Fijian has been with Racing since 2016, joining the French side after three years with Glasgow Warriors.

On top of his 47 appearances for his native Fiji, the athletic lock is also an Olympic gold medal winner, scoring a try in the 2016 Summer Olympics gold medal match against Great Britain.

2017/18 panel: Stuart Barnes (Sky Sports/The Sunday Times), Chris Jones(BBC Radio 5 Live), Matthieu Lartot (France Televisions), Emmanuel Massicard(Midi Olympique), Brian O’Driscoll (BT Sport), Dimitri Yachvili (beIN SPORTS).

Roll of Honour
2018: Leone Nakarawa (Racing 92)
2017: Owen Farrell (Saracens)
2016: Maro Itoje (Saracens)
2015: Nick Abendanon (ASM Clermont Auvergne)
2014: Steffon Armitage (RC Toulon)
2013: Jonny Wilkinson (RC Toulon)
2012: Rob Kearney (Leinster Rugby)
2011: Sean O’Brien (Leinster Rugby)
2010: Ronan O’Gara (Munster Rugby)

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Comments on RugbyPass

Cantab 22 minutes ago

Blues should feast on the Crusaders with Beauden Barrett's cool head

The Blues did just enough to beat an off colour Chiefs but will have to improve substantially on that to beat the Crusaders. I don’t think that they can and next weeks final will be between the Chiefs & Crusaders. A final between the Brumbies &; Blues in Canberra would likely be a bore fest!!

24 Go to comments

BigGabe 24 minutes ago

Johann van Graan: The Bulls boy who would be England's king

Great article, thank you. This is what sports journalism should entail.

I am curious to see where he goes next, what comes after this spell at Bath. Of course, there will one day be a Rassie successor and this debate is so hotly contested in SA. Many seem to think that Nienaber will be back after his stint in Ireland, even as soon as RWC’27, but maybe the Boks need a different thinker to keep progressing? Could they work together, are their brains compatible? Needless to say, SA depth is incredible - in both players and coaches. Now it just needs a stop to this 12 month season madness…

4 Go to comments

BA 34 minutes ago

Blues should feast on the Crusaders with Beauden Barrett's cool head

A back line being run by 2 unproven at 9 and 10 and a midfield that could possibly be getting beat up by 2 bruisers in Reiko and Lam who tackle everything Fihaki Sevu and of course the king of fullbacks in the world in Will Jordan are all fantastic but Blues got the speed and athleticism to not give up easy linebreaks could be risky if David starts throwing Bridge passes in attempts to get round the blues D Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone

24 Go to comments

JW 38 minutes ago

Blues should feast on the Crusaders with Beauden Barrett's cool head

Yes the article makes no sense. Despite the talk about conditions you still want to play an all round game, using width and finding space. That’s what Bidwell ironically acknowledges they at being good at this year without recognizing it. Blues were barely good enough last week against a very one dimensional team, I like their chances, but it’s going to be nowhere near as easy this weekend.

24 Go to comments

JW 47 minutes ago

Blues should feast on the Crusaders with Beauden Barrett's cool head

Wasn’t that last weekend with a couple of his kick and chases (something which returned to his game a bit last year as seen against England)?

I agree Blues have the game and power to win even though Crusaders are the kryptonite, but sad to say you won’t see the Crusaders so one dimensional as the Chiefs this weekend which is probably going to tactically be enough to win with their backline.

24 Go to comments

JW 57 minutes ago

Blues should feast on the Crusaders with Beauden Barrett's cool head

There’s really no hope for you Hamish if after all this time, and all this talk, you haven’t learned what a good post season make up is.

That you also think the Blues will win the final despite you saying they will lose to the Crusaders also reflects perfectly the level of comprehension you seem to have when it comes to sport.

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BA 1 hour ago

The Reds' 'whimpering' exit shows Super Rugby scrums still matter

Aiden Ross is available for selection for Wallabies now right ? Signed for reds 2 years is he a chance as that 3rd loosehead?

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BA 1 hour ago

The Reds' 'whimpering' exit shows Super Rugby scrums still matter

Go 6/2 have Skelton on bench with Uru and Tizzano start Hooper at 6 Bobby V at 8 Fraser 7 …Hooper covers 8 if Bobby V goes down

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BA 1 hour ago

James Parsons names his four locks for All Blacks loose forward selection

If u play Ardie at 7 and Wallace at 8 then whoever plays 6 has to be a ruck hitting tackling machine because u don’t want either of those 2 getting to caught up in rucks both sides of the ball and ending up on ground it’s not why u select them…who is that dude? Is it Finau or Parker? or is it a Jacobsen who does that but then he plays 7, a fit Blackadder can do that at 6 but he just doesn’t stay on the paddock …I reckon give Finau a go he never looks out of place in the international stuff he has played and Wallace got to maybe make few more tackles hit few more rucks than he does at Chiefs I want Ardie up on his scanning looking for turnovers and or getting ball in his hands creating carrying causing chaos Chur!!! bench Loosie I would go Lakai consistent all round skills goes well grafting got that X in his attack