Hoskins Sotutu Crowned Super Rugby Pacific Player of the Year
Attention Rugby Union Enthusiasts! The Blues’ dynamic number eight, Hoskins Sotutu, has been awarded the prestigious Super Rugby Pacific Player of the Year accolade after a remarkable 2024 campaign. Despite being a surprising omission from Scott Robertson’s recent All Blacks squad, Sotutu’s standout performance on the domestic front has not gone unnoticed.
The young back-row forward was a driving force behind the Blues’ triumphant season, leading the league in both tries scored (12) and assists (8) by a forward. Sotutu’s all-action style was on full display, as he also featured in the top 20 for tackles made and top five for rucks hit, while winning an impressive 14 turnovers.
“The news of Sotutu’s Super Rugby Pacific Player of the Year award comes just days after the announcement of the All Blacks squad, which saw Wallace Sititi preferred as the second number eight over the Blues star. This decision has sparked a media and social media backlash, with many fans and pundits believing that Sotutu was incredibly unlucky to miss out on the national team selection.”
Head coach Scott Robertson has had to field numerous questions about Sotutu’s exclusion, and the timing of this latest accolade is sure to reignite the debate. Robertson has revealed that the back-row selections were his responsibility, with the positions divided among his specialist coaching staff.
As the All Blacks prepare to face England in a highly anticipated mid-year series, starting this Saturday at Forsyth Barr Stadium, it will be interesting to see if Sotutu’s continued excellence at the domestic level forces his way into the national team setup in the future. Rugby union enthusiasts will eagerly follow the ongoing developments surrounding this talented young player.
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