Rugby: New Zealand's glitzy rugby awards ceremony kicks off

Richie McCaw with Gemma Flynn on the red carpet during the 2014 Steinlager Rugby Awards. Photo / Dean Purcell

Rugby players and their glamorous other halves have arrived for New Zealand's glitzy rugby awards ceremony tonight.

All Black captain Ritchie McCaw walked the red carpet at Auckland's Viaduct Events Centre with his hockey player girlfriend Gemma Flynn.

The 24-year-old blonde wore a colourful dress, black strappy heels and held a black clutch. Her flanker boyfriend, 33, looked dapper in a black suit, with an Adidas logo emblazoned on the lapel, which his teammates also donned.

Photos: New Zealand rugby awards ceremony

Image 1 of 7: Brodie Retallick with Niki Thompson on the red carpet during the 2014 Steinlager Rugby Awards. Photo / Dean Purcell

School children outside cheered as the glamorous couple posed for photos with McCaw happy to chat and sign autographs for the youngsters.

Teammate Melakai Fekitoa also walked the red carpet with girlfriend Caroline McNaight.

"It's been a great year for me," he said.

When asked about his debut in the All Blacks, he said: "For me, I was scared to make a mistake."

McCaw and teammates Brodie Retallick and Aaron Smith are nominated for the Kelvin R Tremain Memorial Player of the Year award.

Retallick won the International Rugby Board Player of the Year last month.

He posed on the red carpet with fiancee Niki Thompson, who wore a navy jumpsuit and white heels.

Kieran Read attended with wife Bridget, who wore a black and white, long-sleeved dress.

The Chiefs player is also up for Super Rugby Player of the Year, along with the Blues' Jerome Kaino and Crusaders winger Nemani Nadolo.

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen is nominated for Coach of the Year, as is Taranaki and Maori All Blacks coach Colin Cooper and Tasman mentor Kieran Keane.

The All Blacks are up for Team of the Year.