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Ex Australia U20 international Boston Fakafanua has been crowned Super Rugby AUS Player of the Tournament 2026, with the 21-year-old earning the accolade after helping Western Force win the Grand Final last weekend.
Fakafanua scored the winning try against NSW Waratahs in the third round, in which the Force won the home decision for the second time in as many seasons. The Force were beaten by the Tahs in the 2025 Grand Final but were better this time.
The Force piled on the points as they ran away with a 53-26 win against the Waratahs at Perth’s Scotch College, with Fakafanua lining up at outside centre. Fakafanua started in all four matches as the Force ended another Super Rugby AUS campaign with silverware.
Scrum-half Nathan Hastie finished as runner-up player of the tournament behind Fakafanua, with 95-Test Wallaby Kurtley Beale rounding out the top three. These three have taken their place on the all-strength podium as a result of the selection made by Rugby Australia High Performance staff.
On 15 June 2026, the Force announced that Fakafanua had re-signed with the club for a further two years. Fakafanua made several appearances during the 2025 Super Rugby AUS campaign and made his debut at Super Rugby Pacific level in May.
Fakafanua also has senior rugby experience with Australia U20, with the fullback playing for Sydney University in the Shute Shield in New South Wales this year.
“Obviously Boston has been with us for a number of years,” Force coach Simon Cron said.
“He’s an exciting, driven player. He’s powerful and quick. He’s a pleasure to coach. A pleasure to coach.”
“He made his debut for us at Western Force this year. We see him as a long-term player in our environment, so we are delighted that he has re-committed to us.”
Fakafanua added: “I’m delighted to re-sign. I can see the club going in a great direction and I really want to be here for that.”
“I thoroughly enjoyed my first Super Rugby season and was able to really develop my game playing alongside guys like Kurtley Beale and Hamish Stewart. I feel like I’ve been able to grow a lot in a short space of time.”
“Now I’ve had a taste of Super Rugby, I hope to continue and become a mainstay in the squad next season and beyond.”
