Nadi rugby coach Iliesa Tanivula is top favourite to walk away with the FRU Coach of the Year award during the FRU's awards night next week.

Tanivula who guided Nadi to win the Digicel Cup, Farebrother Sullivan Cup and also helped the Crusaders franchise win the Colonial Cup has been shortlisted for the Coach of the Year award with Tailevu's Inoke Male and Northland's Watisoni Ratulevu.

Meanwhile Digicel Fiji 7s squad member Isei Lewaqai who was dropped from the Dubai 7s squad because of injury is likely to win the Digicel Cup Best Player award, as he was part of the victorious Nadi team.

The Crusaders first-five eighth Waisea Luveniyali is in the running of the Colonial Cup best player award but will face competition from team-mate Aloesi Nailiko and the Sharks Sailosi Rabonaqica.

Digicel Fiji 7s captain Emosi Vucago, Timoci Matanavou, Iliavi Satala and Setefano Cakau have been nominated for the Digicel Fiji 7s Best Player while Timoci Nagusa, Sireli Naqelevuki, Semisi Naevo and Sunia Koto are nominees for the Flying Fijians Best Player.

The FRU annual awards will be held next Thursday at the Tradewinds Convention Centre in Lami.