PROVENCE Rugby centre Setareki Bituniyata won the Pro D2 Player of the Year award for the 2025/2026 season at the Nuit du Rugby ceremony on September 28, 2026.
Earlier this month, the former Fiji 7s forward and former Uluinakau representative was nominated for Pro D2 Player of the Season after a stunning 2025-26 campaign with Provence Rugby.
The former Toulouse utility backline player overall performance drew attention with 27 games played, 14 tries (6th overall in the league), a competition-high 43 offloads, 88 broken tackles (2nd overall), 2,384 metres travelled (3rd overall), and 19 linebreaks (7th overall).
He helped Provence reach the final stages of the Pro D2 championship.
Born in Suva, the Toga villager from the district of Naqalimare from Nadroga-Navosa beat nominees Raymond Nu’u (Colomiers) and Michael Ruru (RC Vannes) to claim top honors.
He has maternal ties to Savu Village in Tailevu and attended Lelean Memorial School.
Bituniyata dedicated the award to his family acknowledging their endless support throughout the season.
“I also thank my wife and kids for their endless support,” Bituniyata said.
He also credited his coach and teammates for the work throughout the season saying the award is for the team.
“To my coach and teammates this trophy is not just for me, but all of us.”
The award marks another milestone demonstrating how far Fijian rugby players have come in playing professional club rugby level in France.
Bituniyata made his debut for the Fiji 7’s team in 2016 at the Dubai 7’s and played 41 matches across the 2016–2017 World Sevens Series.
In July 2017 to sign his first overseas contract with French Pro D2 club Massy.
His exceptional club form has earned him a call to the Flying Fijians extended squad where he could make his Flying Fijians debut should he make the final squad for the Nations Championships in November.
