Vaiolini Ekuasi has paid credit to his teammates and his young family for his outstanding form in the 2026 Swyftx Super Rugby Pacific season that was crowned with the Nathan Sharpe medal.
Ekuasi, 24, won the Western Force’s top men’s individual gong on Friday night with 254 votes, finishing ahead of club captain Jeremy Williams (229) and Carlo Tizzano (191).
“I’m extremely honoured to get this award,” Ekuasi said. “I’m so happy. I just can’t imagine what my family is feeling right now.
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“They’re probably super proud and super pumped as well, so this one’s for them.
“To get this award, this prestigious award, it’s an honour.”
The medal capped an outstanding campaign for the Auckland-born back-rower, who had an injury-affected debut season in the west in 2025, before finding his groove in 2026.
Ekuasi played 11 games, scoring three tries, finishing in the top 10 in Super Rugby for in-contact metres (271, sixth overall), carries (143, seventh), dominant carries (43,10th) and pick-and-go metres (121, fourth).
He also was 12th overall for tackles with 162, showcasing his all-round game, which he said shone thanks to his teammates and the inspiration of his young family.
“Like I said earlier, it’s full credit to the boys for just allowing me to play my game and be myself,” Ekuasi said.
“I think that goes a long way. I think if that doesn’t happen, I don’t win this award. I truly believe that.
“Also having my daughter around now is a massive motivator for myself. I hope I can be a role model for her in the future.
“She’s one-and-a-couple of months now. She’s running amok at home now right now, as they do. It’ll be good to get back with them and enjoy this moment.”
Ekuasi grew up in humble beginnings in South Auckland, before earning a scholarship at St Peters School Cambridge in his final year of school, where he was a boarder.
He went on to play for Auckland in the NPC and one cap for the Blues, before landing at the Melbourne Rebels for the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific season.
Ekuasi switched to the Force ahead of the 2025 campaign, where he’s made 17 appearances, playing some of his best rugby.
“I’ve enjoyed it. I wouldn’t go to any other club than the Force if I was to stay in Australia,” Ekuasi said. “That’s how much this club means to me.
“There’s a lot of things we can all relate to as players and families. Obviously we’re a long way from everyone else.
“That camaraderie is special. It’s something I’ll take over to France, that’s for sure.”
Indeed, Ekuasi will be leaving the Force following this Super Rugby season having signed a deal with French Top 14 club US Montauban, although he hinted he’d love to return to Perth in the future.
“I guess this next opportunity is not only for myself but my family as well,” he said.
“I’ve got to take it with both hands and hopefully possibly return in the future.”
On how he’ll celebrate the medal, he laughed: “I’ll probably grab some McDonalds on the way home for my family.
“We’re slowly packing up the house, so we’ve got our hands full for the next couple of days.”
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