KEY POINTS:
Saracens' former Waikato first five-eighth Glen Jackson has won the English Professional Rugby Players' Association player of the year award.
Jackson beat another New Zealand-born player, Bristol No 8 Dan Ward-Smith, and Leicester winger Alesana Tuilagi to top spot.
The 31-year-old former New Zealand Maori representative, who is top points scorer in the English Premiership this season, said he was "shocked by the news."
"It's a real honour to be voted by your peers. It's the greatest achievement of my rugby career to win this award and it is a very proud moment for me," he told the BBC website.
The former Chiefs pivot joined Saracens from Bay of Plenty in November 2004, and helped Saracens qualify for this weekend's semifinal against Gloucester.
"My thanks have to go to my teammates at Saracens for the support I have received this season."
Ward-Smith's achievement in polling second was particularly impressive given he has not played since damaging knee ligaments in January.
He suffered the injury just a week before his proposed England debut in the Six Nations and is now rated as "borderline" to be fit in time for the World Cup.
- NZPA
