For the second year in a row, outstanding loose forward Ardie Savea was named All Blacks player of the year, while Ngarohi McGarvey-Black won the All Blacks sevens player of the year, and Michaela Blyde took home the Black Ferns sevens player of the year.
Following an outstanding season, Wellington claimed the national men’s team of the year title after breaking Hawke’s Bay’s 14-match Ranfurly Shield reign, and kicking on to take out the NPC title.
Canterbury were the national women’s team of the year after winning the Farah Palmer Cup.
The Canterbury region featured heavily at the awards, with Crusaders fullback Will Jordan named Super Rugby Pacific player of the year and head coach Scott Robertson winning national men’s coach of the year after guiding the Crusaders to the title with a crushing defeat against the Blues in the Eden Park final.
The award for outstanding contribution to New Zealand Rugby was given to Dr Deb Robinson. ‘Dr Deb’ dedicated decades to rugby, as team doctor for Canterbury and the Crusaders; the Black Ferns Sevens, All Blacks and the Black Ferns. Most recently, Dr Robinson joined the World Rugby Council as New Zealand Rugby’s first female representative.
For the inaugural Super Rugby Aupiki season, played across two-and-a-half-weeks due to Covid restrictions, Chiefs Manawa hooker Luka Connor won the player of the year. Young Otago halfback and first-five Maia Joseph won the Fiao’o Faamausili medal, recognised as the Farah Palmer Cup player of the year, while Canterbury head coach Blair Baxter claimed the national women’s coach of the year.
In the men’s competition, North Harbour first-five Bryn Gatland won the Duane Monkley medal as the NPC’s best player. Highly promising Wellington loose forward Peter Lakai won the New Zealand age grade player of the year.
Ngāti Porou East Coast halfback Sam Parkes received the Ian Kirkpatrick medal for outstanding contribution on behalf of professional players both on and off the field.
Ben O’Keeffe is the New Zealand referee of the year for the second year in a row, while former Otago rugby player, coach, and volunteer Cathy Charles was recognised with the Charles Monro volunteer of the year award for her 20-year contribution to the game.
“Congratulations to all the winners and nominees,” NZR chief executive Mark Robinson said. “We have seen outstanding performances on the rugby field in 2022, none more memorable than the Black Ferns Rugby World Cup winning performance in front of a sold-out Eden Park - a record-breaking milestone for women’s rugby internationally.
“It’s fitting that the Black Ferns were named as our New Zealand team of the year and that their co-captain Ruahei Demant has been deservedly recognised for her outstanding contribution to her team, to Māori rugby and to the game in Aotearoa. Ruahei and the Black Ferns team have epitomised the values of our game in 2022.”
2022 NZ Rugby Awards winners
Player of the year - Ruahei Demant
New Zealand team of the year - Black Ferns
National men’s team of the year - Wellington
National women’s team of the year - Canterbury
All Blacks player of the year - Ardie Savea
Black Ferns player of the year - Ruahei Demant
Black Ferns Sevens player of the year - Michaela Blyde
All Blacks Sevens player of the year - Ngarohi McGarvey-Black
Māori player of the year - Ruahei Demant
Super Rugby Aupiki player of the year - Luka Connor
Super Rugby Pacific player of the year - Will Jordan
New Zealand coach of the year - Wayne Smith
National men’s coach of the year - Scott Robertson
National women’s coach of the year - Blair Baxter
Try of the year - Stacey Fluhler
Duane Monkley medal - Bryn Gatland
Fiao’o Faamausili medal - Maia Joseph
Ian Kirkpatrick medal - Sam Parkes
Outstanding contribution to New Zealand Rugby - Dr Deb Robinson
Age grade player of the year - Peter Lakai
Referee of the year - Ben O’Keeffe
Volunteer of the year - Cathy Charles
