Roger Tuivasa-Sheck was honoured for his Dally M win with an emotional Haka led by Warriors teammate Issac Luke.
Live coverage of the 2018 Dally M awards
NEW Zealand Warrior Roger Tuivasa-Sheck has taken out the 2018 Dally M medal in a thrilling countdown , scraping home over Kalyn Ponga in the final round. He was honoured by fellow NRL stars with an emotional Haka.
ROGER Tuivasa-Sheck's fellow countrymen led an emotional tribute to this year's Dally M winner at the conclusion of the ceremony.
Unprompted and unscripted, Warriors hooker Issac Luke jumped from his chair and broke into a traditional Maori haka in honour of the very first Warrior to win the prestigious award.
He was soon joined by fellow Kiwis Jamayne Isaako, Esan Marsters, and Jordan Rapana as the room came to a standstill.
WATCH THE FULL HAKA IN THE BLOG BELOW
Jazz Tevaga, the interchange player of the year, was up on the stage with Tuivasa-Sheck and other members of the team of the year but left the stage, took off his jacket and joined in with his fellow New Zealanders.
“That’s just crazy. Where I’m from back in New Zealand there is a special moment for me,” Tuivasa-Sheck said.
“Back home when something happens, the haka is performed to bring up a special occasion and just to be receiving on is a big honour.
“To have Bully (Issac Luke) a close friend of mine do it for me and a close group of friends there was truly special for me.”
Broadcaster Fox Sports ensured that they captured the emotion as the event came to an end and praise started flowing on social media.
Tuivasa-Sheck was also crowned fullback of the year for 2018.
He was joined in the 2018 Dally M team of the year by Blake Ferguson (wing), Joseph Leilua (centre), Cameron Munster (five-eighth), Brooks (halfback), Andrew Fifita (prop), Damien Cook(hooker), Josh Jackson (second row), Jason Taumalolo (lock) and Tevaga (interchange).
Re-live all the action with our live blog below.
Updates
EMOTIONAL HAKA TRIBUTE FOR RTS
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck was honoured for his Dally M win with an emotional Haka led by Warriors teammate Issac Luke.
ROGER TUIVASA-SHECK ACCEPTS HIS AWARD
"Wow, this is crazy," Tuivasa-Sheck.
"I first attended the Dally Ms in 2013 when Cooper Cronk won and remember thinking to win that would be a dream.
"I want thank my club… and the coaching staff and the team for pushing me every day.
"Finally, I just want to say a big thanks to my partner."
DALLY M MEDAL: ROGER TUIVASA-SHECK
When Roger Tuivasa-Sheck left the Roosters it was supposed to be the end of his career.
The Warriors is where players go to cash in and check out and kiss the finals goodbye forever.
When he did his knee seven games into his New Zealand career it was supposed to be the final nail.
But now Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, the hot stepper, the pride of Auckland, is the player of the year and deservedly so.
FULLBACK OF THE YEAR: ROGER TUIVASA-SHECK
The Warriors fullback grew into his captaincy at the Warriors and led the team on an early-season rampage that had many asking if 2018 was finally
the year of the Warrior.
It wasn't to be but that didn't stop Tuivasa-Sheck tearing apart defences with his amazing attacking ability as well as pulling off some of the
great try-saving tackles we've seen in the modern era.
Runners up: James Tedesco, Valentine Holmes
WINGER OF THE YEAR: BLAKE FERGUSON
Blake Ferguson enjoyed the best and most consistent season of his checkered career in 2018 and claims a Dally M award for the first time.
The Roosters flyer has always been a gifted attacking player but this season he embraced the hard yards like never before, churning out metres on
a consistent basis while also crossing for 17 tries.
Runners up: David Fusitu’a, Corey Oates, Jordan Rapana, Josh Addo-Carr
CENTRE OF THE YEAR: JOSEPH LEILUA
Joey Leilua’s reputation precedes him but the Canberra star had a consistent and productive season in 2018.
In a difficult year for the Raiders Leilua’s form rarely wavered and he was a constant destructive force on the right edge.
He beat out Roosters and New South Wales pin-up Latrell Mitchell and rising stars Jesse Ramien and Esan Marsters to claim his second centre of the
year gong in the last three seasons.
Runners up: Waqa Blake, Esan Marsters, Latrell Mitchell, Jesse Ramien
FIVE-EIGHTH OF THE YEAR: CAMERON MUNSTER
As one era of stardom ends in Melbourne another begins with Cameron Munster asserting himself as one of the best players in the competition over
the course of the year.
In his second full season at five-eighth, Munster proved himself to be one of the most dangerous players in the competition and the player who can
carry the Storm beyond the Big Three era.
Runners up: Anthony Milford, Matt Moylan, Gareth Widdop
HALFBACK OF THE YEAR: LUKE BROOKS
Four years after he claimed the rookie of the year award, Luke Brooks has claimed a second Dally M gong.
The Tigers halfback experienced the best season of his short career, fulfilling the prodigious potential that has lurked within him for so long.
His rise and improvement under Ivan Cleary played a big part in the joint venture’s revival.
Runners up: Mitchell Pearce, Ash Taylor, Daly Cherry-Evans, Cooper Cronk
HOOKER OF THE YEAR: DAMIEN COOK
Was there any doubt? Cook took the league by storm this season, running defenders ragged around the rucks and using his speed to great effect
every time he sensed a chance.
After his incredible Origin series with New South Wales and his litany of highlight moments for South Sydney there can be no doubt that Cook is
the most damaging dummy half in the game.
Runners up: Cameron Smith, Issac Luke, Cameron McInnes
