SYDNEY (Reuters) -Ardie Savea was named the winner of the inaugural Super Rugby Pacific Player of the Year award with two rounds of the competition to spare on Monday after his extraordinary performance for Moana Pasifika at the weekend.

The All Blacks loose forward was a powerhouse on both sides of the ball as Moana beat the Auckland Blues for the first time on Saturday to move into the top six in the standings, good enough for a playoff spot.