The Fiji Rugby Union president and Prime Minister Voreqe Baini­marama will be the chief guest at the Fiji Rugby Union annual awards Gala at the Grand Pa­cific Hotel in Suva on Friday night.

This was confirmed to SUN­sports yesterday by Fiji Rugby Union chief executive officer John O’Connor who highlight­ed that preparations for the an­nual awards night are on track.

“We are indeed very grateful and thankful that the president of Fiji Rugby Union had ac­cepted our humble invitation,” he said.

O’Connor said they are also grateful to all their sponsors, corporate organisations and more importantly their affiliate unions who have bought tables for the event.

“This is to celebrate, showcase and reward outstanding indi­vidual talent and team results and contributions made to the sport of rugby from grassroots to international level across the nation.”

O’Connor said all our national teams including the Under-16 and U18 performed credibly during their respective tours to Australia and New Zealand.

The Swire Shipping Warriors won the World Rugby Pacific Challenge, the nail-biting finish to the Skipper Cup and Voda­fone Vanua Championship.

“Then of course the Austral­ian National Rugby Champi­onship (NRC) title won by the Fiji Airways Fijian Drua mean there will be much to celebrate and many exciting players to choose from when the nomi­nees and winners are read out.”

With five successful series ti­tles, a Commonwealth Games silver medal, Rookie of the Year and five players in the HSBC World Sevens Series Dream Team,.

Likewise for the Fiji Airways Flying Fijians, after another successful World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup campaign in June, 8 debutants and the history making victory against France.

The 2018 event was also an ex­citing celebration for women’s rugby with the extension and success of the Women’s Do­mestic Championship, won by Malolo.

The CEO also confirmed that there will be several interest­ing announcement during the evening which will revolution­ize Rugby in Fiji moving for­ward

AWARDS AND NOMINEES

XVs Player of the Year (Male)- Leone Nakarawa, Semi Radradra, Alivereti Veitokani

XVs Player of the Year (Fe­male)- Lailanie Burns, Esiteri Bulikiobo, Rusila Nagasau

7s Player of the Year (Male)- Eroni Sau, Kalione Nasoko, Jerry Tuwai

7s Player of the Year (Female)- Lavinia Tinai, Rusila Nagasau, Ana Maria Roqica

Coach of the Year- Koli Se­wabu, Senirusi Seruvakula, Ro Alifereti Doviverata

Adminsitrator of the Year- Joeli Rabuli, Jiko Matawalu, Jerry Naureure

Team of the Year- Naitasiri, Suva, Northland

– Primary Schools Player of the Year,

– Secondary Schools Player of the Year,

– Fiji Airways Drua Players’ Player,

– Domestic Player of the Year

– Match Official of the Year

– Under-20s Player of the Year

– Edited by Grace Narayan

Feedback: leonec@fijisun.com.fj