Timoci Tavatavanawai. Highlanders co-captain Timoci Tavatavanawai is having a whale of a season — and that is backed up by the numbers. Tavatavanawai is in a three-way tie for first after the opening five rounds. Tavatavanawai picked up eight points from the voting panel for his fine effort in the loss to the Crusaders in Christchurch at the weekend. Player of the year votes are announced every week before voting goes behind closed doors following round 10.

Source: Otago Daily Times March 17, 2026 21:57 UTC