Fijian trio nominated for World Sevens awards
Fiji men sevens team celebrate their Cup victory at the 2025 HSBC SVNS Singapore at Singapore National Stadium on 6 April 2025 in Singapore.
Photo:
Zach Franzen / World Rugby
Three Fijian sevens reps are in the running for World Rugby awards.
Winger Vuiviwa Naduvalo has been nominted for 'Try of the Year' in the men's competition.
George Bose is one of three nominees for the 'Men's Rookie of the Year', while Fijiana sevens rep Vika Nakacia is a noninee for the 'Women's Rookie of the Year'.
Fans will vote for the winners online, the voting closes on Thursday.
The awards will be presented at the completion of the Los Angeles 7s tournament on 4 May.
The three Fijians are amongst the nominees selected by the World Rugby panels, following the completion of the seven rounds of the Sevens Series played across seven months.
Awards in the three categories will be announced at the winner-takes-all SVNS World Championships and SVNS Series Playoffs taking place at in Dignity Health Sports Park is Los Angeles, which is also set to host the Olympic Rugby Sevens at LA 2028.
This 2025 series culminated with Women's Olympic Champions New Zealand women and reigning men's HSBC SVNS league title holders Argentina men crowned HSBC SVNS 2025 League Winners in Singapore.
World Rugby chief executive Alan Gilpin said it will be inetesting to see who gets the top votes.
"These awards celebrate the extraordinary talent, passion, and dedication that define our game," he said in a World Rugby statement.
"After a thrilling global series, we are proud to recognise the players and moments that have captured the spirit of rugby sevens and lit up the world stage.
"We look forward to honouring our nominees and crowning the winners at what promises to be an unforgettable finale in Los Angeles."
In their nomination of Bose, the World Rugby panel said Bose has been impressive since makign his debut late last year.
"Rising star Bose has made a big impact in the 2024/25 season with his Fijian flair," they said.
"After spending the previous season in the extended squad, he earned his international debut in Dubai. Bose has since cemented his place, ranking among the top 12 tacklers in the series.
"Bose finished the series on a high in Singapore having a big impact in the crucial semi-final against Argentina that booked their place in the final that they went on to win against Kenya."
Bose has Enahemo Artaud of France and Aden Ekanayake of Australia as his competitors for the title.
For the women's rookie of the year, the World Rugby panel has nominated Fijiana 7s rover Nakacia along with Australia's Kahli Henwood and Nia Toliver of the United States of America.
The panel said Nakacia has been im impressive form, with a dominant display of 116 carries across the series, the most by any female player.
"Fiji's Vika Nakacia burst onto the international stage at 26-years-old, making her debut in Dubai with her trademark speed, slick footwork, and fearless style," World Rugby said.
"She lit up the Singapore SVNS with a stunning hat-trick against Great Britain and dominated the season with a massive 116 carries, the most of any player in 2024/25."
Speedster Naduvalo is batting other nominees like Simon Désert of France, Anton Legorburu of Spain, and Argentina's Marcos Moneta for the men's try of the year award.
Meanwhile, Moneta, who was Player of the Year in 2021, is also in the running for the 'Men's Player of the Year' award, along with teammate Luciano Gonzalez and Spain's captain Pol Pla.
Australia's Madison Levi and New Zealand's Jorja Miller are nominees for the 'Women's Player of the Year' award, alongside Brazil's Thalia Costa.
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