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3 hours ago | Rhys Sullivan
Kiwis captain and Canberra player of the year Ruben Wiki is a certainty for New Zealand Rugby League's top award at the annual dinner in Auckland tonight.
Wiki, 29, was a shining light all season and was never better in the National Rugby League (NRL) than when playing against the New Zealand Warriors.
He helped to turn around the Kiwis' 6-48 loss to Australia mid-season for a 30-16 triumph at North Harbour Stadium in October and is sure to be ahead on points to Warriors' Francis Meli, Awen Guttenbeil and other contenders.
The rookie of the year is also a sitter. Thomas Leuluai, 18, is an outright favourite for the award.
He moved from the domestic Bartercard Cup competition to the NRL, Junior Kiwis then the Kiwis, playing a match of maturity in the October test.
The Canterbury Bulls' huge turnaround in the Bartercard Cup, from 10th of 12 teams in 2002 to winners in 2003, should ensure coach Phil Prescott and captain Shane Beyers get well deserved awards for best in the domestic league.
There are several contenders for the Bartercard competition's best and fairest player. Steve Buckingham from Mt Albert, Paul Fisiahi of the Eastern Tornadoes and Gavin Bailey at Glenora are leading the contenders.