“It is an honour to receive this award in front of all members of the Fijian community here tonight. Being involved in the Fijian World Cup campaign turned my life around and I enjoy going back to Fiji regularly now. I am going back again next Wednesday which I’m looking forward to. To win an award named after a legend like Petero is an honour. I am fortunate enough to have played with him for Australia and only those who have played with him know how special that is. Receiving this award makes it even more special.”
Petero Civoniceva was also recognized for becoming the most capped Australian forward of all time by his former Australian Coach Chris Anderson. He spoke of Petero’s professionalism when involved in the Kangaroos and what importance front rowers like Petero played in his teams.
“Petero was one of the guys I spoke very little to when I coached the Aussies. The most conversations we had were after games at the bar. Leading up to games I didn’t need to talk to him much because he was one of the few blokes that knew his job and didn’t need reminding of that. If Petero knew he was down in certain areas physically it would take a small reminder and he would get himself back there straight away. I just hope people understand that for the Jarryd Hayne’s of this world to shine you need to have a guy like a Petero in your team.”
AFRL Marketing Manager Steve Driscoll said the AFRL Board was absolutely thrilled with the night and said the future for Fijian Rugby League and the AFRL is very exciting.
“This night along with the AFRL has really grown into something we can all be very proud of. The PC Medal Night itself is a unique event in that kids who play park footy that represent us in our U/16’s team are rewarded and recognized on the same night that some of the best players in the world are.”
To have young Evan Lee who will play for the Parramatta Eels Harold Matthews team receive his award at the start of the evening as an Australian Fijian U/16’s player and have the final award of the evening given to Jarryd Hayne for the most outstanding Australian Fijian Player of 2009 are the unique coincidences that this night offers for these young boys.”
“Having Petero tell the crowd how emotional he has been all night hearing all the boys speak of their Fijian pride and a big tough man like Kali Meehan tells me how this night is just “so pure” makes it all worthwhile for our board members who work tirelessly all year round to create this atmosphere within this organization.”
The AFRL would like to pass on their condolences to Noa Nadruku who was unable to attend due to the passing of his sister two days prior to the event. Noa Nadruku will be officially inducted into the AFRL Hall of Fame at the AFRL’s next major event to held in June.
The Australian Fijian contingent of Steve Driscoll, James Pickering and Jarryd Hayne will travel to Fiji on Thursday January 28 to be special guests at the FNRL Awards night in Suva on Friday January 29. Hayne will return to Sydney on Saturday January 30 to resume training with the Eels with Pickering and Driscoll to stay on for a composite board meeting with members of the Fiji National Rugby League, NZ Fijians and English Fijians.
The PC Medal night winners were as follows:
The Petero Civoniceva Medal (Australian Fijian Player of the Year) - Jarryd Hayne (Parramatta Eels)
The James Pickering Rising Star Award – Junior Roqica (Wests Tigers)
Australian Fijian Fiji Bati Player of the Year – Ryan Millard (Shell Harbour Dragons)
AFRL Awards of recognition categories:
Australian Fijian Rugby League 2010 Hall of Fame Inductee – Noa Nadruku
AFRL 2009 Achievement Awards
- Petero Civoniceva (In recognition of becoming most capped Australian Forward of all time)
- Jarryd Hayne (In recognition of 2009 Dally M Player of the Year Award)
AFRL Senior Team Player of the Year (Noa Nadruku Trophy) – Kevin Naiqama
AFRL Senior Team Best and Fairest – Donas Gock (Shell Harbour Dragons)
AFRL Senior Team Coaches Award – Puna Rausabale (Southern Districts)
AFRL Nines Player of the Year – Lepani Waqa (Windsor Wolves)
AFRL U/19’s Best Forward – Josh Jale (Goulbourn)
AFRL U/19’s Best Back – Joe Roqoku (Cronulla Sharks)
AFRL U/16’s Best Forward – Evan Lee (Parramatta Eels)
AFRL U/16’s Best Back – Sitiveni Mocedrau (Endeavour Sports High)
AFRL U/16’s Best and Fairest – Louis Meehan (Wyong Roos)
2009 Kooga Shield - NSW Cook Islands Rugby League
Petero Civoniceva with PC Medal Winner Jarryd Hayne at Mascot RSL.
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