The barnstorming centre will leave for Japan's Top League on a lucrative three-season deal following this year's World Cup.

The 25-year-old was arguably the form player of the Super Rugby season, registering the most carries and defenders beaten as well as the fourth-most clean line breaks.

Kerevi (301 votes) won the medal ahead of Liam Wright (228) and Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (200) to join club greats Jason Little, Chris Latham, David Croft, Will Genia and Liam Gill as back-to-back winners of the prize.

He has kept the door open for a return to Ballymore once his time with Suntory is up and coach Brad Thorn would love to have him back.

"It's deserved recognition for him after another stand-out year for Queensland," Thorn said.

"He took on the captaincy this year and thrived in the role - he has grown as a man both on-and-off the field."

The Reds, who extended Thorn's contract mid-season, mirrored their six-win effort of last year but took big steps in developing local talent while breaking winning droughts in South Africa and against New Zealand opposition.

Australian Associated Press