Samu Kerevi will depart the Queensland Reds as the reigning Pilecki Medallist after easily claiming another best player gong on Friday night.
The barnstorming centre will leave for Japan’s Top League on a lucrative three-season deal following this year’s World Cup.
The 25-year-old was arguably the form player of the Super Rugby season, registering the most carries and defenders beaten as well as the fourth-most clean line breaks.
Kerevi (301 votes) won the medal ahead of Liam Wright (228) and Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (200) to join club greats Jason Little, Chris Latham, David Croft, Will Genia and Liam Gill as back-to-back winners of the prize.
He has kept the door open for a return to Ballymore once his time with Suntory is up and coach Brad Thorn would love to have him back.
“It’s deserved recognition for him after another stand-out year for Queensland,” Thorn said.
“He took on the captaincy this year and thrived in the role – he has grown as a man both on-and-off the field.”
The Reds, who extended Thorn’s contract mid-season, mirrored their six-win effort of last year but took big steps in developing local talent while breaking winning droughts in South Africa and against New Zealand opposition.