All Blacks loose forward Ardie Savea has capped off a dominant year by winning the Kelvin R. Tremain Memorial Player of the Year title for the third time in his career.
It capped off a memorable season for Savea, who also claimed the All Blacks and Super Rugby Player ofthe Year titles at the New Zealand Rugby Awards tonight.
Savea played in all but one test this year, while he became the All Blacks’ 15th test centurion in their 24-17 win over the Springboks in Auckland.
New Zealand Rugby (NZR) chief executive Mark Robinson felt Savea was a deserving winner of the top prize, which he also won in 2019 and 2023.
“Ardie has a level of consistency that is unmatched, and his three awards tonight demonstrate that,” Robinson said. “He keeps raising the bar for what’s possible on an individual level, and brings his inspirational leadership to every environment.”
Meanwhile, young Black Ferns star Braxton Sorensen-McGee added two more awards to her trophy cabinet to complete a stunning debut season.
After being announced as World Rugby’s Women’s 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year, the 19-year-old was named as Black Ferns Player of the Year and New Zealand Age Grade Player of the Year.
Braxton Sorensen-McGee during the Rugby World Cup. Photo / Getty Images
Portia Woodman-Wickliffe also took home multiple awards; recognised as the Sky Super Rugby Aupiki Player of the Year and, for the first time in her storied career, named the Tom French Memorial Māori Player of the Year.
It was also a big night for the Black Ferns Sevens and their coach Cory Sweeney, taking out the adidas New Zealand Team of the Year and Coach of the Year awards, having also won those categories in 2024.
Sweeney becomes the most successful coach in this category, having now been named the top coach in the country six times.
Jorja Miller adds Black Ferns Sevens Player of the Year to her World Rugby Women’s Sevens Player of the Year title, while new All Blacks Sevens captain Tone Ng Shiu was acknowledged as Richard Crawshaw Memorial All Blacks Sevens Player of the Year.
Rob Penney and Willie Walker were acknowledged as national men’s and women’s Coach of the Year respectively, while their championship-winning teams, Crusaders and Blues, took home the men’s and women’s National Team of the Year awards.
Coach Rob Penney with the Super Rugby Pacific trophy. Photo / George Heard
After taking control of a Rugby World Cup semi-final match, Maggie Cogger-Orr was named as New Zealand Rugby Referee of the Year for the first time.
Former international players Sam Whitelock and Les Elder were honoured with the New Zealand Rugby Players’ Association Kirk Award, acknowledging their service to their fellow players through their long tenures on the New Zealand Rugby Players Association Board.
“What’s great about the New Zealand Rugby Awards is being able to celebrate every level of the game – elite players, emerging stars, referees, amateurs and our grassroots game,” Robinson said.
“To see community rugby volunteers and clubs acknowledged right alongside our professional players shows how special rugby is right around the country.”
