Colby Fainga’a has capped a remarkable first year in Melbourne by being named the Rebels’ players’ player at the Super Rugby club’s awards night.
After joining the Rebels from the Brumbies, Fainga’a was the runaway winner in the voting by his teammates.
From 15 games the flanker polled 237 points, 64 votes ahead of centre Mitch Inman, with skipper Scott Higginbotham, who won the award last year, third.
The 23-year-old is currently sidelined following shoulder surgery and will miss playing in Melbourne’s National Rugby Championship team, the Rising.
In other awards another flanker Sean McMahon was named rookie of the year.
McMahon is currently in Glasgow representing the Australian rugby sevens team at the Commonwealth Games.
Newly-capped Wallaby Luke Jones broke a New Zealand hold on the Spirit of Weary Dunlop Award, with all three previous winners Kiwis.
Tom Sexton was awarded the Rod Macqueen Five Star Award.
Sexton joined the club from Irish side Leinster for the 2014 season, however suffered a serious knee injury during the pre-season.
The Irishman, who will play in the NRC, spent the season promoting the community game in Victoria.
44bottles
Roar Guru
I don't even know if I would have put him third. He seems to have become a penalty magnet (wasn't he banned for a game because of getting 3yellow cards?) But I guess he had enough games where he played well enough to get 3 points from a lot of people, like the Highlanders game.
PiratesRugby
Guest
Sean McMahon is a rookie. That still amazes me. He hits like a seasoned veteran. Is he going to hit even harder when he grows up?? Well done to Faainga. He's been tremendous. The fact that Higgers finished third is probably an accurate reflection of how his game has slipped this year. There's always next season...
PiratesRugby
Guest
Sean McMah