 Reihana scored 13 tries in the Premiership |
Northampton wing Bruce Reihana has won the Professional Rugby Players Association's player of the year award. The 28-year-old All Black was the joint highest try-scorer in the Zurich Premiership's regular season, helping Saints to a third-place finish.
Reihana pipped team-mate Mark Robinson, Gloucester back Henry Paul and Wasps duo Simon Shaw and Mark van Gisbergen.
"To win an award which is nominated by your contemporaries is the ultimate accolade for any sportsman," he said.
Bath fly-half Olly Barkley capped a fine season by being named the PRA's young player of the year.
 |  It has been a remarkable season for everyone at Bath |
The 22-year-old has been instrumental in Bath's Premiership title push and won four England caps during this year's RBS Six Nations Championship. Sale Sharks forward Chris Jones, Gloucester backs James Simpson-Daniel and Jon Goodridge and Harlequins winger Ugo Monye were the other nominees.
Barkley said: "I feel hugely privileged to have received this acknowledgement.
"It has been a remarkable season for everyone at Bath and it is through the outstanding performances of my team-mates that I'm able to collect this award."
Wasps' nail-biting victory over Munster in the Heineken Cup semi-finals landed the highlight of the season award while Martin Johnson won a special merit award.
The contribution of former Scotland skipper Gavin Hastings and All Black great Zinzan Brooke to the game was recognised by the duo's induction into the hall of fame.
MMIX
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