Hard tackling, ‘Ikale Tahi fullback Tevita Halaifonua has won the award for Tongan Player of the year 2014, by Pacific Islands Players Association (PIPA).

The annual award is a player’s choice award. Halaifonua said: "It’s an honour to be voted by my team mates for this award. I want to thank all my team mates and hope we can all win this award after 2015 RWC".

Fijian Player of the year award went to Nemani Nadolo, who also won the overall Digicel Pacific Island Players Player of the Year Award. The Samoan player of the year award went to Kahn Fotuali'i.

Tongan International and PIPA board member Hale T. Pole emphasized the importance for PIPA to recognise outstanding performances over a year, “all Pacific Island Players cherish every opportunity to represent their country. With these awards we hope to inspire players from Fiji, Samoa and Tonga to strive for excellence both on and off the field.”

PIPA Chairman and former Fiji representative, Deacon Manu told the award winners, “there are few greater honours than to receive recognition from your peers for the hard work that goes into consistently performing on the international stage, on behalf of all the Pacific Island Players we congratulate Nemani, Kahn and Tevita for their outstanding contribution to pacific island rugby during 2014.”