FIJIANA 15s captain Leilani Burnes never thought she was going to win an award even being nominated to the best 15s player of the season by Fiji Rugby Union was something she never thought of.
But when her name was announced as the recipient of the award, it was a moment that got all their challenges flash before her eyes, as she remembers what they went through as a team in the Fijiana 15s side.
Grateful she was that FRU recognised her leadership to give her the award as she was also up against two of her teammates.
“It’s a surprise, it’s a privilege and it’s an honour to be nominated with such talented women like Siteri (Bulikiobo) and Pei (Sereana Nagataleka), There’s so many talented players out there in the Fijiana team and all of us we just get down and we work hard and this award really goes to all the players in the Fijiana team so it’s just an honour to be able to receive it today,” Burnes said.
“It kind of came as surprise, to be nominated is just wonderful.”
Burnes plays for the Nadi Blazers rugby club and has maternal links to Lomaiviti with her dad originally from Australia.
After winning the award, she dedicated it to her Fijiana sisters and her family who have been with her through her rugby career.
“We’ve got a great team out there and I want to give recognition to obviously my family, coach Trevor and teammates and Fijiana coach Bai, Vueti, Ratu and Vela for giving us the opportunity and everyone that has helped us along the way.”
Meanwhile in the women’s 7s player of the year Fijiana 7s captain Ana-Maria Roqica was named the player of the year.
Other awards saw former RKS student Serupepeli Uru winning the secondary school’s player of the year; Lote Sadranu was the match official of the year; and Esala Nauga became the coach of the year in both the main award and the popular choice awards done via the Vodafone’s texting platform.
In the domestic competition, Alifereti Veitokani of Nadroga rugby was the player of the year; Huge Nemani Nadolo was the people’s choice for the Flying Fijian of the year; and Rebecca Tavo won the Telecom Fijiana 7s player of the year through the texting platform with nippy Jerry Tuwai becoming the people’s choice in the player of the year.
