Wallace Sititi, left, and Sylvia Brunt have been recognised as Pasifika Rugby Hall of Fame Breakthrough Players of 2024. Photo: Photosport / RNZ
Two current Pasifika heritage rugby players have been named as the Pasifika Rugby Hall of Fame (PRHF) Breakthrough Players for 2024.
Black Fern Sylvia Brunt will receive the 'Monique Hirovanaa Breakthrough Women's Player of the Year award' at the special awards and induction dinner in Auckland on 10 April.
While 2024 All Black Wallace Sititi is the 'Waisale Serevi Breakthrough Men's Player of the Year' recipient.
In announcing the two players, the PRHF media said the duo deserve to be recognised for their contribution to Pacific rugby and their communities, plus the game in general.
Brunt has been a rising star since her debut at just 17 years old for the Blues' inaugural Super Rugby game in 2021.
She made her Black Ferns debut at 18 years of age, coming off the bench against Canada in the Pacific Four Series in Waitākere, in 2022.
The PRHF said she was the captain of the Mt Albert Grammar 1st XV team, who won the College Sport Auckland Championship, a member of Ponsonby Senior Women's team that won the 2020 Coleman Shield, in the same year she debuted for the Auckland Storm.
An impressive midfielder, Brunt plays for the Auckland Storm and the Blues in Super Rugby Aupiki.
"From earning her first Black Ferns cap and being nominated for World Rugby's 'Try of the Year' in 2022, Sylvia has continued to shine on the world stage," the PRHF said.
"Her performances in Aupiki, alongside her incredible work with the Black Ferns, have shown just how versatile and dynamic she truly is."
The PRHF said All Black Sititi was an pbvious choice.
"A huge honor for Wallace Sititi," they said.
"From leading De La Salle College's First XV, debuting for North Harbour, to shining with Chiefs Rugby and making his All Blacks debut in 2024, Wallace's journey is just getting started!
"Like his father, Semo Sititi, Wallace plays in the Number 8 position, bringing power and skill to every game. We can't wait to celebrate his achievements at the Pasifika Rugby Hall of Fame."
Meanwhile, former world sevens rugby star Waisale Serevi, will be the keynote speaker at the event.
The PRHF said "they are beyond excited to announce that rugby legend Waisale Serevi, a proud Pasifika Rugby Hall of Fame alumni, will be the 2025 Keynote Speaker".
"A true icon in the world of rugby sevens, Waisale has led Fiji to two Rugby World Cup Sevens titles and countless other victories, leaving an unforgettable legacy on the sport."
Serevi told RNZ Pacific that he is honoured to be part of the awards progamme, as he was also one of the initial inductees in 2024.
The rugby sevens wizard, dubbed the 'King of Sevens' by the media and rugby commentators over the years, was at the Hong Kong Sevens tournament as a sevens ambassador last weekend.
He coaches and runs his own Serevi Rugby Academy as well, while continuing to promote the game with World Rugby as an ambassador.