Rugby: Steelform Whanganui’s Alekesio Vakarorogo wins Ian Kirkpartrick Medal at NZ Rugby Awards

Steelform Whanganui's Alekesio Vakarorogo took home the Ian Kirkpatrick Medal at the NZ Rugby Awards.

Steelform Whanganui’s Alekesio Vakarorogo has won the Ian Kirkpatrick Medal at the NZ Rugby Awards.

The award recognises the Bunnings Warehouse Heartland Championship player of the year.

Vakarorogo was born in Lavena, a small town on the Taveuni Islands, Fiji, and came to New Zealand in 2020.

He got straight into his rugby with Border Rugby Club and cracked the Steelform Whanganui Heartland Championship side that year.

The outside back has remained in the side since then and become an “impactful” player, Whanganui head coach Jason Hamlin said.

“I think he’s been one of the most influential players in the Heartland Championship for the last three or four years, easily,” Hamlin said.

“It’s a recognition of how impactful he’s been.”

The 31-year-old scored eight tries this season despite struggling through injury. He now has 38 tries in five seasons.

Alekesio Vakarorogo is the first Whanganui player to win the Ian Kirkpatrick Medal. Photo / Photosport

He is the first Whanganui player to win the Ian Kirkpatrick Medal since its introduction in 2022. He was nominated in 2023.

Vakarorogo’s performances assisted the Whanganui side in placing second at the end of the regular season on 31 points.

They were beaten 38-15 in the semifinal by Thames Valley, who went on to win the competition.

Vakarorogo said he was grateful to be nominated in the first place and stoked when he won the award.

“I really love playing for Whanganui. I’ve been playing for five years now. I’m really appreciative.

“It’s a good team; I love everyone and the brotherhood.

“I want to thank Border Rugby Club for bringing me here and giving me the opportunity.”

Hamlin said the soft-spoken outside back could play a level above where he’s currently at, given his talent.

“He’s exceptional – talent-wise, he could play at a level above, but time and circumstances are what they are and he’s here. I’m happy he’s playing his rugby in Whanganui, I’ll tell you that for free.

“He makes other players around him look good, and I always say that’s a mark of a really good player.”

Whanganui Rugby chief executive Bridget Belsham said Vakarorogo was deserving of the recognition.

“He is always one of the top try-scorers in the Heartland Championship and was nominated for this award last year as well,” Belsham said.

“Proud to see him take it out this year – thoroughly deserved.”

Vakarorogo received the news he had won through his head coach at Border Rugby Club, Todd Cowan.

“[Cowan] said it to me as I was trying to get an early night, but I saw the message and was like, ‘Oh, s***’,” Vakarorogo said.

Vakarorogo will return next year and continue to rehabilitate his injured hamstring and knee in order to get back to his best.

“I just want to try to do my best every year. I try to work hard every day.”