Balekana, a standout winger for the New England Free Jacks, has been recognized as the Major League Rugby (MLR) Player of the Year. His exceptional performance throughout the season led his coaches to tailor the team’s offensive strategies around his abilities.
New England head coach Ryan Martin highlighted balekana’s significance,stating,”He’s been crucial. We’ve made a high priority around maximizing his involvement in our team. There’s no hiding the fact that we design a lot of our strike plays around what he can bring for us. We just need him to express his personality on the field. He plays aggressively and we just back that.”
balekana joins a distinguished group of Free Jacks players who have previously won this award, including Beaudin Waaka, Jayson Potroz, and Wayne van der Bank. This marks the fourth consecutive year a New England player has received the accolade,underscoring the team’s consistent excellence.
balekana’s consistent impact has been a cornerstone of the Free Jacks’ success during their tenure as North American champions. His stellar play has earned him the competition’s most prestigious individual honour.
FORWARD OF THE YEAR | FRANK LOCHORE, UTAH WARRIORS
Frank Lochore of the Utah warriors has been named MLR Forward of the Year, a testament to his unwavering consistency over his two seasons with the team. The New Zealander’s debut season saw him named to the All-MLR First XV,a feat he replicated in 2025.
The 24-year-old Lochore was a key player for the Warriors in the 2025 season, appearing in 18 matches with 17 starts. His contributions were instrumental in the team’s return to the postseason for the first time in four years,ultimately reaching the Western Conference Final.
Lochore set an all-time MLR season record with 303 tackles, surpassing the previous record held by Cory Daniel. Averaging an impressive 16.8 tackles per game, he also led the league in lineout receptions with 128, demonstrating strong chemistry with his team’s throwers. Additionally, Lochore carried the ball 118 times for 305 meters and was involved in 194 rucks, showcasing his all-around impact on the field.
This recognition makes Lochore the first Utah Warriors player to receive the Forward of the Year award.
