Richie McCaw might have been recognised as the best player in the world this month, but last night judges decided he was not even the best player in the country.
Barnstorming No 8 Kieran Read instead picked up the Kel Tremain Memorial Trophy for player of the year at the
New Zealand Rugby Awards.
In the aftermath of the All Blacks' Grand Slam-winning tour to the UK in November, McCaw was named the IRB player of the year for the third time. However, even he could not match the stellar campaign of Read.
The 25-year-old was outstanding for the All Blacks as they went through the June internationals and Tri-Nations unbeaten, before playing a prominent role in the Grand Slam. The only blight on his season was the knee ligament damage that forced him from the field early in the year's final test against Wales. Read has been earmarked as a future All Black captain and last night he edged the incumbent skipper and 50-test lock Brad Thorn for the big prize.
The All Blacks won 13 of 14 tests this year but they were not good enough to deny the world champion Black Ferns team of the year. The Ferns won their fourth successive IRB Women's Rugby World Cup title in England in September. Try-scoring sensation Carla Hohepa took out the Women's Player of the Year.
New Zealand Sevens coach Gordon Tietjens headed off the All Blacks' Graham Henry for coach of the year. Tietjens was recognised for guiding his team to their fourth consecutive Commonwealth Games gold medal in Delhi in October.
Auckland's Liaki Moli, part of the world champion NZ Under-20 side, was named age group player of the year. Taranaki's Kurt Baker was sevens player of the year and Hosea Gear Maori player of the year. Canterbury centre Robbie Fruean was ITM Cup player of the year.
Veteran broadcaster Keith Quinn was presented with the Steinlager Salver for outstanding contribution to rugby.
