
Eight Aussies in Super Rugby Pacific 'Team of the Year'
Australian forwards have been rewarded for their consistent form with six named in a Super Rugby Pacific Team of the Year, including props Angus Bell and Allan Alaalatoa.
Super Rugby Pacific player of the year, Moana Pasifika captain Ardie Savea, who had an unbeatable lead in voting with two rounds of the competition remaining, headlines the side.
While the Team of the Year will become an official post-season recognition in Super Rugby Pacific alongside Player of the Year from next season, an honorary team has been named for 2025.
There are eight Australians in total - two backs in cross-code star Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, who was named as fullback in his first season, and Western Force winger Harry Potter.
The line-up was formed from the top-ranked players in each position based on Player of the Year votes from across the season.
If players were used across multiple positions, for team of the year purposes they were assigned only the position they most played during the season.
"Selection in this team is a reflection of the respect and admiration these players have earned from their opponents, week in and week out, throughout the 2025 season," Super Rugby Pacific CEO Jack Mesley said.
Australian openside flankers Carlo Tizzano, Fraser McReight and Langi Gleeson could not initially be separated for the third back row position, having received the same amount of votes (29).
With voting coming down to who received the most "three votes" for best in a game, Tizzano and McReight couldn't be split, with both receiving five.
They also received the same minor votes and shared the award.
2025 SUPER RUGBY PACIFIC TEAM OF THE YEARPROPS - Allan Alaalatoa (ACT Brumbies, 20 votes), Angus Bell (NSW Waratahs, 14 votes)
HOOKER - Tevita Ikanivere (Fijian Drua, 19 votes)
SECOND ROW - Jeremy Williams (Western Force, 21 votes), Patrick Tuipulotu (Blues, 20 votes)
BACK ROW - Ardie Savea (Moana Pasifika, 46 votes), Tom Hooper (ACT Brumbies, 31 votes), Carlo Tizzano (Western Force, 29 votes) / Fraser McReight (Queensland Reds, 29 votes)
HALFBACK - Cam Roigard (Hurricanes, 28 votes)
FLY HALF - Damian McKenzie (Chiefs, 36 votes)CENTRES - Timoci Tavatavanawai (Highlanders, 32 votes), AJ Lam (Blues, 14 votes)
WINGERS - Harry Potter (Western Force, 18 votes), Kini Naholo (Hurricanes, 18 votes) FULLBACK - Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (NSW Waratahs, 20 votes)
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The Advertiser
2 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Hazlewood and Kohli's Bengaluru win first IPL title
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Our guys batted really well to post that score - everyone just chipping in - and the bowlers held their nerve, so great result." Asked what it would mean to Kohli to end his side's title quest at last, Hazlewood said: "It probably means everything to him. Some of us come and go in the franchises but to be there from the start and to slug it out for 18 seasons and to get a result tonight, I think we'll see a bit of emotion there." Hazlewood and Inglis were due to fly straight to England after the final for next week's World Test Championship against South Africa. It will have made for an interesting flight. Put in to bat, Bengaluru fell short of the 200-mark, having been 2 for 87 at the midway stage. Kohli anchored their innings but Bengaluru could never really break loose. Azmatullah Omarzai deceived Kohli with a bouncer and took a running, tumbling return catch. 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Later, Kohli, still with bloodshot eyes, told broadcasters what it meant to him. "It's been 18 long years. I've given this team my youth, my prime and my experience, and I've tried to win this every season... "To finally have this moment come true, it's an unbelievable feeling. I never thought this day would come. I was overcome with emotions as soon as the last ball was bowled." Kohli has been with Bengaluru since 2008, including nine seasons as captain. The relief was palpable as he hugged former teammate AB de Villiers. "I've stayed loyal to this team no matter what," Kohli said. "I always dreamt of winning it with them, and this is far more special than winning it with anyone else... "This is the team I'm going to play for till the last day in IPL." With agencies Royal Challengers Bengaluru and their talisman Virat Kohli ended a 17-season drought by winning their maiden IPL title, beating Punjab Kings by six runs in the final in Ahmedabad. Put into bat on Tuesday, Bengaluru posted a modest 9 for 190 before restricting Ricky Ponting-coached Punjab to 7 for 184 at the Narendra Modi Stadium. Kohli top-scored for his side with 43 but it was their bowling which secured Bengaluru's memorable victory. Fast bowler Josh Hazlewood claimed one wicket, but fellow Australians Josh Inglis (39) and Marcus Stoinis (6) both ended up on the losing side. Bengaluru finished runners-up in 2009, 2011 and 2016, but finally claimed the prize, thanks largely to Krunal Pandya's sensational 2-17 in four overs. Kohli was in tears once he realised Bengaluru were about to shed the underachiever's tag that has stuck to them since the inaugural 2008 edition of the league. Afterwards, a jubilant Hazlewood said: "The wicket was a little bit up and down. Our guys batted really well to post that score - everyone just chipping in - and the bowlers held their nerve, so great result." Asked what it would mean to Kohli to end his side's title quest at last, Hazlewood said: "It probably means everything to him. Some of us come and go in the franchises but to be there from the start and to slug it out for 18 seasons and to get a result tonight, I think we'll see a bit of emotion there." Hazlewood and Inglis were due to fly straight to England after the final for next week's World Test Championship against South Africa. It will have made for an interesting flight. Put in to bat, Bengaluru fell short of the 200-mark, having been 2 for 87 at the midway stage. Kohli anchored their innings but Bengaluru could never really break loose. Azmatullah Omarzai deceived Kohli with a bouncer and took a running, tumbling return catch. Jitesh Sharma's 24 off 10 balls injected some momentum into Bengaluru's stop-start innings and Liam Livingstone made 25 but they never capitalised in the death overs. Punjab's Kyle Jamieson claimed 3-48, while his new ball partner Arshdeep Singh bowled an excellent three-wicket final over, conceding only three runs. Punjab got off to a fast start and opener Prabhsimran Singh, on nine, was lucky to be spilled in the deep by Romario Shepherd. Hazlewood, the luckless bowler then, did not have to wait long for a wicket, though, as Phil Salt took a stunning catch in the deep to remove Priyansh Arya (24) and break the 43-run opening stand. Krunal Pandya removed Prabhsimran and Shepherd redeemed himself by dismissing Punjab's in-form captain Shreyas Iyer to turn the match on its head. Left-arm spinner Pandya put Bengaluru on top when he dismissed the dangerous Inglis and Bhuvneshwar Kumar effectively sealed the match when he dismissed Nehal Wadhera and Stoinis in the same over. Later, Kohli, still with bloodshot eyes, told broadcasters what it meant to him. "It's been 18 long years. I've given this team my youth, my prime and my experience, and I've tried to win this every season... "To finally have this moment come true, it's an unbelievable feeling. I never thought this day would come. I was overcome with emotions as soon as the last ball was bowled." Kohli has been with Bengaluru since 2008, including nine seasons as captain. The relief was palpable as he hugged former teammate AB de Villiers. "I've stayed loyal to this team no matter what," Kohli said. "I always dreamt of winning it with them, and this is far more special than winning it with anyone else... "This is the team I'm going to play for till the last day in IPL." With agencies Royal Challengers Bengaluru and their talisman Virat Kohli ended a 17-season drought by winning their maiden IPL title, beating Punjab Kings by six runs in the final in Ahmedabad. Put into bat on Tuesday, Bengaluru posted a modest 9 for 190 before restricting Ricky Ponting-coached Punjab to 7 for 184 at the Narendra Modi Stadium. Kohli top-scored for his side with 43 but it was their bowling which secured Bengaluru's memorable victory. Fast bowler Josh Hazlewood claimed one wicket, but fellow Australians Josh Inglis (39) and Marcus Stoinis (6) both ended up on the losing side. Bengaluru finished runners-up in 2009, 2011 and 2016, but finally claimed the prize, thanks largely to Krunal Pandya's sensational 2-17 in four overs. Kohli was in tears once he realised Bengaluru were about to shed the underachiever's tag that has stuck to them since the inaugural 2008 edition of the league. Afterwards, a jubilant Hazlewood said: "The wicket was a little bit up and down. Our guys batted really well to post that score - everyone just chipping in - and the bowlers held their nerve, so great result." Asked what it would mean to Kohli to end his side's title quest at last, Hazlewood said: "It probably means everything to him. Some of us come and go in the franchises but to be there from the start and to slug it out for 18 seasons and to get a result tonight, I think we'll see a bit of emotion there." Hazlewood and Inglis were due to fly straight to England after the final for next week's World Test Championship against South Africa. It will have made for an interesting flight. Put in to bat, Bengaluru fell short of the 200-mark, having been 2 for 87 at the midway stage. Kohli anchored their innings but Bengaluru could never really break loose. Azmatullah Omarzai deceived Kohli with a bouncer and took a running, tumbling return catch. Jitesh Sharma's 24 off 10 balls injected some momentum into Bengaluru's stop-start innings and Liam Livingstone made 25 but they never capitalised in the death overs. Punjab's Kyle Jamieson claimed 3-48, while his new ball partner Arshdeep Singh bowled an excellent three-wicket final over, conceding only three runs. Punjab got off to a fast start and opener Prabhsimran Singh, on nine, was lucky to be spilled in the deep by Romario Shepherd. Hazlewood, the luckless bowler then, did not have to wait long for a wicket, though, as Phil Salt took a stunning catch in the deep to remove Priyansh Arya (24) and break the 43-run opening stand. Krunal Pandya removed Prabhsimran and Shepherd redeemed himself by dismissing Punjab's in-form captain Shreyas Iyer to turn the match on its head. Left-arm spinner Pandya put Bengaluru on top when he dismissed the dangerous Inglis and Bhuvneshwar Kumar effectively sealed the match when he dismissed Nehal Wadhera and Stoinis in the same over. Later, Kohli, still with bloodshot eyes, told broadcasters what it meant to him. "It's been 18 long years. I've given this team my youth, my prime and my experience, and I've tried to win this every season... "To finally have this moment come true, it's an unbelievable feeling. I never thought this day would come. I was overcome with emotions as soon as the last ball was bowled." Kohli has been with Bengaluru since 2008, including nine seasons as captain. The relief was palpable as he hugged former teammate AB de Villiers. "I've stayed loyal to this team no matter what," Kohli said. "I always dreamt of winning it with them, and this is far more special than winning it with anyone else... "This is the team I'm going to play for till the last day in IPL." With agencies


7NEWS
3 hours ago
- 7NEWS
Josh Hazlewood trumps fellow Aussies to win IPL title as Virat Kohli bursts into tears
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Perth Now
3 hours ago
- Perth Now
Hazlewood, Kohli lift IPL trophy at expense of WA duo
Royal Challengers Bengaluru and their talisman Virat Kohli ended a 17-season drought by winning their maiden IPL title, beating Punjab Kings by six runs in the final in Ahmedabad. Put into bat on Tuesday, Bengaluru posted a modest 9 for 190 before restricting Ricky Ponting-coached Punjab to 7 for 184 at the Narendra Modi Stadium. Kohli top-scored for his side with 43 but it was their bowling which secured Bengaluru's memorable victory. Fast bowler Josh Hazlewood claimed one wicket, but fellow Australians Josh Inglis (39) and Marcus Stoinis (6) both ended up on the losing side. Bengaluru finished runners-up in 2009, 2011 and 2016, but finally claimed the prize, thanks largely to Krunal Pandya's sensational 2-17 in four overs. Kohli was in tears once he realised Bengaluru were about to shed the underachiever's tag that has stuck to them since the inaugural 2008 edition of the league. Virat Kohli in the field after RCB sealed victory. Credit: Pankaj Nangia / Getty Images Afterwards, a jubilant Hazlewood said: 'The wicket was a little bit up and down. Our guys batted really well to post that score - everyone just chipping in - and the bowlers held their nerve, so great result.' Asked what it would mean to Kohli to end his side's title quest at last, Hazlewood said: 'It probably means everything to him. Some of us come and go in the franchises but to be there from the start and to slug it out for 18 seasons and to get a result tonight, I think we'll see a bit of emotion there.' Hazlewood and Inglis were due to fly straight to England after the final for next week's World Test Championship against South Africa. It will have made for an interesting flight. Put in to bat, Bengaluru fell short of the 200-mark, having been 2 for 87 at the midway stage. Kohli anchored their innings but Bengaluru could never really break loose. Azmatullah Omarzai deceived Kohli with a bouncer and took a running, tumbling return catch. Jitesh Sharma's 24 off 10 balls injected some momentum into Bengaluru's stop-start innings and Liam Livingstone made 25 but they never capitalised in the death overs. Punjab's Kyle Jamieson claimed 3-48, while his new ball partner Arshdeep Singh bowled an excellent three-wicket final over, conceding only three runs. Royal Challengers Bengaluru players celebrate with the trophy. (AP PHOTO) Credit: AAP Punjab got off to a fast start and opener Prabhsimran Singh, on nine, was lucky to be spilled in the deep by Romario Shepherd. Hazlewood, the luckless bowler then, did not have to wait long for a wicket, though, as Phil Salt took a stunning catch in the deep to remove Priyansh Arya (24) and break the 43-run opening stand. Krunal Pandya removed Prabhsimran and Shepherd redeemed himself by dismissing Punjab's in-form captain Shreyas Iyer to turn the match on its head. Left-arm spinner Pandya put Bengaluru on top when he dismissed the dangerous Inglis and Bhuvneshwar Kumar effectively sealed the match when he dismissed Nehal Wadhera and Stoinis in the same over. Later, Kohli, still with bloodshot eyes, told broadcasters what it meant to him. 'It's been 18 long years. I've given this team my youth, my prime and my experience, and I've tried to win this every season... 'To finally have this moment come true, it's an unbelievable feeling. I never thought this day would come. I was overcome with emotions as soon as the last ball was bowled.' Kohli has been with Bengaluru since 2008, including nine seasons as captain. The relief was palpable as he hugged former teammate AB de Villiers. 'I've stayed loyal to this team no matter what,' Kohli said. 'I always dreamt of winning it with them, and this is far more special than winning it with anyone else... 'This is the team I'm going to play for till the last day in IPL.' With agencies