Cama up for player of the year

Manawatu playmaker Junior Tomasi Cama is up for the IRB Sevens player-of-the-year award for the second year in a row.

Last year he lost out to South Africa's Cecil Afrika.

With just one round left to play in the Sevens World Series in London, Cama, team-mate Frank Halai, and England's Mat Turner have been nominated for the award.

Cama's sharp rugby brain and astute sevens acumen have again been key factors behind New Zealand's drive for a 10th world series success.

He is also the season's top points-scorer with 330 and has 28 tries to his name.

Giant wing Halai has scored 28 times for New Zealand this season. His powerful presence out wide has often proved the difference for the Kiwis, notably at their home event in Wellington and in Port Elizabeth, where they won back-to-back titles.

The trio were shortlisted from a vote by the management teams of the 12 core sides who compete at each round of the series.

The winner will be announced after the London Sevens, at Twickenham on May 14.

- © Fairfax NZ News