‘Ikale Tahi fullback Telusa Veainu was awarded Player of the Year by England’s Rugby Players’ Association (RPA) at a ceremony in London on 9 May. 

The 27-year-old plays for the Leicester Tigers in England’s Aviva Premiership. The Tigers only just missed out on qualifying for the semi-finals of the Premiership – scheduled to take place next Saturday 19 May.

Having received the award, Veainu commended his team in a statement at the ceremony.

Veainu said “It’s an enormous privilege to win this award. I am very surprised but also very thankful for the awesome support shown by my peers.”

“I must give credit to my Leicester teammates and coaching staff. Rugby is obviously a team sport and while these individual awards are very humbling, it takes 14 other guys to do their jobs on the pitch to allow me to play my best. Without their support I wouldn’t be where I am today.”

According to the RPA, Veainu has been in “sensational form” during the 2017/2018 Aviva Premiership season. He scored seven tries for Leicester and gained over 1,500 metres for the Tigers.

English hooker of Tongan descent, Mako Vunipola, was also awarded at the ceremony. He was named England Men’s Player of the Year.