Pacific brilliance shines at the Dally M awards

Pacific pride was on full display on Thursday night at rugby league’s pinnacle awards celebration, the Dally M.

After remarkable seasons, several standout performers across both the NRL and NRLW claimed honours at the Sydney event.

Despite falling short in the later stages of the competition, the Sydney Roosters still added valuable silverware to their cabinet.

Roosters’ 21-year-old Robert Toia, who only debuted in round one this year, was crowned Rookie of the Year. His team-mate and rugby union convert Mark Nawaqanitawase also starred, taking out both Top Try Scorer and Try of the Year for his freakish round 11 effort against the Bulldogs.

Having already represented the Wallabies and with talk of featuring at the 2027 Rugby World Cup, Nawaqanitawase capped off a breakout season by scoring 24 tries in just 23 games.

Jamayne Isaako, Redcliff Dolphins winger received this years Top point scorer for the third time.

The Pacific excellence carried through to the NRLW, where 18-year-old Brisbane Broncos talent Shalom Sauaso was named Rookie of the Year. With her side set for this weekend’s grand final and averaging 138 running metres a game, Sauaso is set to round out a stunning debut season.

A grassroots talent already emerging as one of the Warriors’ women’s brightest forces, Ivana Lauitiiti edged out fellow nominees to claim Tackle of the Year for her bruising hit on Wests Tigers’ Emily Bass.

Lauitiiti has recently extended her contract with the One NZ Warriors and will stay on till the end of 2027.

Six players of Pacific heritage featured prominently in the Team of the Year.

In the backs, Mark Nawaqanitawase was named Winger of the Year alongside Melbourne’s Xavier Coates.

Brisbane Broncos’ Kotoni Staggs and Bulldogs captain Stephen Crichton partnered in the centres, while Addin Fonua-Blake and Payne Haas earned Prop of the Year honours. Storm’s Eliesa Katoa was also recognised, selected as one of the Second Rowers of the Year.

An honourable mention can go to Dolphins halfback Isaiyah Katoa, who finished third on the overall Dally M leaderboard with 44 points, just one behind Penrith stalwart Nathan Cleary and trailing two-time winner James Tedesco.

As the curtain falls on awards night, all eyes now turn to grand final day: Melbourne Storm face the Brisbane Broncos at 9.30pm, while the Broncos women take on the Sydney Roosters at 6pm at Accor Stadium.