Ashton Sims wins Petero Civinoceva Medal
Brisbane Broncos forward Ashton Sims took out the Australian Fijian Rugby Leagues highest honour on last Sunday night winning the Petero Civinoceva Medal at Mascot RSL. On the night 11 awards were given out during the course of the evening which saw Sims narrowly edge out Newcastle’s Wes Naiqama and South Sydney’s John Sutton for the coveted award.
Sims was unable to accept the award due to training commitments in Brisbane and it was accepted by fellow Bati team mate Daryl Millard. This was then followed by a recorded video message that was sent down by Sims. In his speech Sims thanked the people who voted for him. He also thanked those involved involved with the AFRL as well as the FNRL, Vodafone and his fellow Bati team mates from the World Cup.
Petero was truly happy to see Sims receive the award on the back of his efforts with the Broncos last year as well as his efforts in the World Cup.
“I really think Ashton has a massive future and on the back of what he did for the Broncos last year as well as his performances for Fiji in the World Cup I think the confidence he will gain from all that will make him an even better player this season.” said AFRL Patron Civinoceva.
Another highlight of the night was the appearance of WBA #1 Heavyweight title contender Kali Meehan who gave a fifteen minute interview with MC Doug Keane and the crowd were thoroughly entertained with his views on rugby league players in boxing, sport in Fiji and the Pacific, his mandatory shot at the WBA Heavyweight crown as well as himself giving praise on the efforts of the World Cup team, the AFRL’s U/16’s and Great Britain touring team.
“All I know is that we are very lucky to be blessed with our sporting gifts and with the right nurturing and development such as the AFRL are doing, Fiji will be successful in whatever sports they take part in whether it is boxing, union, netball or whatever. The Rugby League World Cup proved what heights we can reach just as Petero has proved to us all throughout his entire career. That’s why we are here to honour him tonight through this award and it is a pleasure for me to be here amongst him and these other great rugby league players in the room.” said Meehan.
Meehan also presented the Noa Nadruku Trophy to Samu Wara from the North Sydney Bears.
The AFRL also introduced it’s new sevens coach Daryl Neville to the crowd and he spoke of how important it was to try and follow up on all of Fiji and the AFRL’s success last year with a strong showing in the three tournaments they will take part in this year starting with the World Nines at Cabramatta on Saturday February 7 and 8.
The winners of the major awards are listed below
The Petero Civinoceva Medal (Australian Fijian Player of the Year) - Ashton Sims (Brisbane Broncos)
The James Pickering Rising Star Award - Jason Bakuya (Cronulla Sharks)
The Noa Nadruku Trophy (AFRL Player of the Year) – Samu Wara (North Sydney Bears)
Australian Fijian Fiji Bati Player of the Year – Aaron Groom (Canterbury Bulldogs)
The winners in the other categories were:
AFRL Sevens Player of the Year – Lepani Waqa (St Marys)
AFRL U/16’s Development Cup Best Forward – Will Roqica (Newtown Jets)
AFRL U/16’s Development Cup Best Back – Paul Rokolati (Newtown Jets)
AFRL U/16’s Development Cup Best and Fairest – Kemeli Seru (St George Dragons)
AFRL Senior Team UK Tourist Best Forward – Suli Koroibulileka (Sydney Bulls)
AFRL Senior Team UK Tourist Best Back – Joe Delana (Wenworthville Magpies)
AFRL Senior Team UK Tourist Best and Fairest – Lepani Waqa (St Mary’s)
