Rugby Union Player Association awards: Full nominations

The finalists for the 2014 RUPA Awards have been announced, with the awards to be handed out next week, 10 December.

The awards acknowledge the best of the Super Rugby performances in 2014, as well as off-the-field achievement in all areas, including academia.

Nick Cummins won the RUPA Medal for Excellence last year.

It’s decided by a 3-2-1 vote from players who participate in Super Rugby. Player can only vote for others outside their own team, on the criteria of performance, leadership, consistency and discipline on and off the field for both Super Rugby and internationals.
onsistency and discipline, both on and off the field, across the international and domestic rugby season.

RUPA CEO, Greg Harris said the eight awards are a true recognition of Australian rugby players in many aspects of their life.

“Australian rugby players aren’t just committed and talented on the rugby field; they have also made substantial achievements in terms of their academic, personal and professional development.

“Many of our players are dedicated to causes and not-for-profit initiatives, donating a lot of their time and service in the community.

“It is important to recognise these areas too, and the RUPA awards provide this opportunity. They also allow players to be acknowledged by those who know them best, their peers.

“Ultimately, the awards reflect RUPA’s core purposes in supporting and empowering Australian rugby players to maximise their potential so they can simultaneously develop their on and off field careers,” Mr Harris said.

Medal for Excellence
· Jarrad Butler (Brumbies)
· Nic White (Brumbies)
· Colby Fainga’a (Melbourne Rebels)
· Mitch Inman (Melbourne Rebels)
· Matt Hodgson (Western Force)
· Ben McCalman (Western Force)
· Michael Hooper (NSW Waratahs)
· Wycliff Palu (NSW Waratahs)
· James Slipper (Queensland Reds)
· Jake Schatz (Queensland Reds)

Academic Achievement Award
· Pama Fou (Sevens)
· Tala Gray (NSW Waratahs)
· Samu Kerevi (Queensland Reds)
· Tom Kingston (Melbourne Rebels)
· Chris Kuridrani (Queensland Reds)
· Jeremy Tilse (NSW Waratahs)

Community Service Award
· Nathan Charles (Western Force)
· Colby Fainga’a (Melbourne Rebels)
· James Hanson (Queensland Reds)
· Pat McCutcheon (NSW Waratahs)
· Henry Speight (Brumbies)

Newcomer of the Year
· Taqele Naiyaravoro (NSW Waratahs)
· Samu Kerevi (Queensland Reds)
· Sean McMahon (Melbourne Rebels)
· Adam Coleman (Western Force)
· JP Smith (Brumbies)

NRC Players’ Player
· Samu Kerevi (Brisbane City)
· Jack Debreczeni (Melbourne Rising)
· Andrew Kellaway (NSW Country Eagles)
· Nick Frisby (Brisbane City)
· Sean McMahon (Melbourne Rising)

Men’s Sevens Players’ Player
· Cameron Clark
· Jesse Parahi
· Greg Jeloudev
· Con Foley
· Ed Jenkins

Women’s Sevens Players Player
· Shannon Parry
· Charlotte Caslick
· Alicia Quirk
· Sharni Williams
· Emilee Cherry

People’s Choice Award
· Adam Ashley-Cooper (NSW Waratahs)
· Israel Folau (NSW Waratahs)
· Bernard Foley (NSW Waratahs)
· Matt Hodgson (Western Force)
· Michael Hooper (NSW Waratahs)
· James Slipper (Queensland Reds)
· Matt Toomua (Brumbies)
· Scott Fardy (Brumbies)
· Ben McCalman (Western Force)
· Scott Higginbotham (Melbourne Rebels)