With only three months away to the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand, the Flying Fijians management team should be on Isa Nacewa’s back after he won the Irish Player of the Year, a first for an international player.

He was chosen by his fellow players at the ninth Irupa Rugby Awards dinner last night.

The 29 year old has played in all but one of Leinster’s 28 matches this season, and has shown a lot of consistency and has been an inspiring counter attacking fullback.

High Performance Unit Manager, Talemo Waqa had earlier indicated that Nacewa was eager to represent Fiji in New Zealand, however, he had to sort things out with his club and his family before making his final decision.

He played for two minutes for Fiji, coming off the reserve bench against Scotland in the 2003 World Cup in Australia.

The 2011 Rugby World Cup kicks off in New Zealand on September 9th.

Story by: Selina Navuso