Donaldson joins Chiefs midfield Quinn Tupaea at the top of the charts, having scored more votes than his international counterpart in defeat on Saturday at HBF Park.
Meanwhile, NSW Waratahs fullback Sid Harvey has commanded a solo lead of the Rookie of the Year standings after a match-winning performance against the ACT Brumbies.
The captains and head coaches of both teams nominate their top three players from the opposing team each week, allocating three votes, two votes, and one vote, respectively.
On top of this, the Player of the Year voting process has been bolstered for the upcoming season, with a panel of respected rugby media identities from across Australia, New Zealand and Fiji assembled to contribute votes on each game.
Player of the Year votes from each round will be announced on the competition website and social media channels each Tuesday, until the voting goes behind closed doors following Round 10.
Here is how they voted:
Highlanders v Moana Pasifika
8 – Caleb Tangitau (HIG)
7 – Paula Latu (MOA)
6 – Nic Shearer (HIG)
3 – Dominic Ropeti (MOA)
2 – Allan Craig (MOA), Veveni Lasaqa (HIG)
1 – Miracle Faiilagi (MOA), Taniela Tele’a (HIG)
ACT Brumbies v NSW Waratahs
7 – Sid Harvey (NSW)
6 – Rob Valetini (ACT)
3 – Jack Debreczeni (NSW), Pete Samu (NSW)
2 – Ryan Lonergan (ACT), Declan Meredith (ACT), Lachie Shaw (ACT)
1 – Max Jorgensen (NSW), Clem Halaholo (NSW), Andrew Kellaway (NSW), Rory Scott (ACT), Billy Pollard (ACT)
Hurricanes v Queensland Reds
6 – Fehi Fineanganofo (HUR)
5 – Hunter Paisami (QLD), Ruben Love (HUR)
3 – Jock Campbell (QLD), Seru Uru (QLD), Warner Dearns (HUR), Du’Plessis Kirifi (HUR)
1 – Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (QLD), Jordie Barrett (HUR)
Blues v Fijian Drua
5 – Sam Darry (BLU)
4 – Bradley Slater (BLU)
3 – Frank Lomani (FJI), Tuidraki Samusamuvodre (FJI), Iosefo Namoce (FJI), Beauden Barrett (BLU), Anton Segner (BLU)
2 – Mesake Doge (FJI)
1 – Ponipate Loganimasi (FJI), Etonia Waqa (FJI), Malachi Wrampling (BLU), AJ Lam
Western Force v Chiefs
8 – Luke Jacobson (CHI)
5 – Ben Donaldson (FOR), Josh Jacomb (CHI)
4 – Jeremy Williams (FOR), Quinn Tupaea (CHI)
3 – Max Burey (FOR)
1 – Damian McKenzie (CHI)
Super Rugby Pacific Player of the Year Voting after Round Seven
27 – Ben Donaldson (FOR), Quinn Tupaea (CHI)
23 – Max Jorgensen (NSW), Will Jordan (CRU)
22 – Timoci Tavatavanawai (HIG), Caleb Tangitau (HIG)
20 – Miracle Faiilagi (MOA), Charlie Cale (ACT), Ryan Lonergan (ACT)
19 – Caleb Clarke (BLU)
18 – Fehi Fineanganofo (HUR)
17 – Cam Roigard (HUR), Jordie Barrett (HUR), Declan Meredith (ACT)
16 – Vailoni Ekuasi (FOR)
15 – Semisi Tupou Ta’eiola (MOA), Dalton Papali’i (BLU)
Rookie of the Year
13 – Sid Harvey (NSW)
6 – Joel Lam (MOA), Nic Shearer (HIG)
5 – Codemeru Vai (BLU)
4 – Lucas Casey (HIG)
3 – Dominic Ropeti (MOA), Iosefo Namoce (FJI)
2 – Treyvon Pritchard (QLD), Kadin Pritchard (ACT), Johnny Lee (CRU), Torian Barnes (BLU)
1 – Clem Halaholo (NSW), Malachi Wrampling (BLU)
