Zac keeps on winning

All Black and Hawke's Bay rugby winger Zac Guildford's "dream year" continued last night.
Guildford, 20, who played three games on the ABs recent tour of the United Kingdom, received the Tom French Memorial Maori Player of the Year award at the Steinlager Rugby Awards function in Auckland.
"I'm stoked. Of the three categories I was a finalist in that was the one I wanted the most because of the great players who have won it in the past," Guildford told SportToday this morning.
"And to receive it from one of those greats (Buck Shelford) was awesome.
"I was able to have a few quiets with my uncles," said Guildford, referring to Daren Guildford of Napier (a brother of Guildford's late father, Rob) and Glenn Burt of Wairarapa who accompanied Guildford to the function.
"I couldn't celebrate too hard because I had some television interviews this morning ... that can happen back in Hawke's Bay this weekend."
After receiving his award, the three-time world champion who was the Air New Zealand Cup's top tryscorer with 13 told the function he was rapt to play in teams with good players who knew how to help him get across the tryline.
"But at the same time I didn't expect everything I got this season ... I'm still pinching myself," said Guildford.
The Crusaders-bound Napier Boys' High School product described the Magpies, New Zealand under-20 and All Black teams as "three great environments".
He was full of praise for his "good mate on and off the field", Magpies fullback Israel Dagg for the memorable moments they produced during the year.
New Zealand Maori junior sportsman of the year, Guildford pointed out his hamstring injury is progressing well. He is doing heaps of leg strength work and the only thing he can't do yet is sprint.
"Garry is really happy and told me our compulsory rest period will help it," said Guildford, referring to Magpies physio Garry Sye.
On television this morning, Guildford said he was keen for his dream run to continue with selection for the 2011 World Cup.
"I want to keep raising the bar. As I said when I was first selected for the All Blacks ... I don't just want to be an All Black I want to be a great All Black."
In addition to collecting his third world title and being named in the All Blacks for the first time this year, Guildford was named the New Zealand Maori junior sportsman of the year for a second time, the Hawke's Bay Magpies player-of-the-year and he also reached the Super 14 semifinals with the Hurricanes.
Guildford was also a finalist in the Age Grade Player-of-the-Year category he won last year and in 2007 as well as the Air New Zealand Cup Player of the Year category last night. He was pipped for the age grade award by his world champion New Zealand under-20 team captain Aaron Cruden of Manawatu, a son of his Taradale clubmate Stu Cruden.
"It would have been a bit rude if I had won that one three years in a row. Aaron played some good footy and deserved it," said Guildford.
Fellow All Black and Bay of Plenty first five-eighth Mike Delany won the Air New Zealand Cup Player of the Year award.
Outstanding leadership was recognised when six captains were among the winners at the awards.
All Blacks captain Richie McCaw became the first person to be named the Kelvin R Tremain Memorial player of the year for a third time, having previously won the award in 2003 and 2006.
This accolade follows his recent naming as the 2009 International Rugby Board player of the year, making him the first person to win that award twice.
Mils Muliaina, who deputised for McCaw in his early season absence and also led the Chiefs, was named the Super 14 player of the year. Auckland and New Zealand women's captain Victoria Heighway was named the women's player of the year; Cruden the age grade title; and Zar Lawrence, who filled in as the New Zealand sevens captain, won the Richard Crawshaw Memorial sevens player of the year.
The Steinlager Salver, a special presentation to a person who has made an outstanding contribution to New Zealand rugby, was presented to former All Blacks captain DJ Graham.
After his debut in 1958, Graham played 53 matches for his country, including 22 tests, and after retiring went on to an outstanding administrative career, serving as the Auckland Rugby Union's president as well as New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) vice-president and president.
Bryce Lawrence made it two in a row as the referee of the year; and Otago's Blair Crawford became the inaugural winner of the renamed Charles Monro volunteer of the year award for his services to community rugby.