Horrocks is pick of Heartland

PLAYER OF YEAR: Halfback Lindsay Horrocks scoring against Mid Canterbury on August 29 at Cooks Gardens.PHOTO/FILE

Steelform Wanganui rugby players had one more glittering night to celebrate their 2015 successes at the 2015 Steinlager Rugby Awards in Auckland on Friday night.

Halfback Lindsay Horrocks was recognised for his best season in the No9 jersey after becoming the fifth player from this province chosen as the Pink Batts Heartland Championship Player of the Year.

In a mild surprise, Horrocks took out the award ahead of his 18-year-old team-mate and No10 partner Stephen Perofeta, who had amazing first class debut season.

However, unlike Perofeta, Horrocks played in every match for Wanganui, with his video citation noting he was one of the strongest defenders in the competition, a solid passer, and played a pivotal role in the team's march to the Meads Cup.

Sitting down with Scotty 'Sumo' Stevenson, the interviewer noted how a few years ago, Horrocks would willingly travel 10,000km a month to leave the family farm on the Paraparas to play and train in Inglewood, Taranaki.

Horrocks agreed that sticking to the Border club in Waverley, for a 10-minute drive, was much easier.

It was committing to Wanganui rugby that saw him became a national champion and NZ Heartland representative this year.

Horrocks put his success back on the whole Wanganui squad.

"If you look at our coaches, they've got plenty of experience, been there 100 games.

"[Captain] Pete Rowe - he sets the bar high."

Neither Horrocks or Perofeta could escape further limelight, as broadcaster and event MC John Campbell came over to interview them and fellow Heartland nominee Eric Duff about community-based rugby.

After his turn in the chair, Horrocks was asked by Campbell if he wanted to get into broadcasting.

"No, not at all," came the sheepish reply.

Perofeta was asked about his move to Taranaki after a stunning year in the Hurricanes under-18, Wanganui, and NZ Heartland jerseys.

"I'm just [signed] with the academy next year."

"Long term, the Black jersey," he added when Campbell asked about his goals.

Also taking an uneasy turn in the chair with Stevenson was winger Samu Kubunavanua, who went up to accept the Sky Television Fans Try of the Year award, which was decided by an online public vote, for the amazing 105m try in the Meads Cup final.

It can be said Kubunavanua's win was the only award taken away from the all-conquering, World Cup winning All Blacks, as the other contenders were the tries by Ma'a Nonu and Julian Savea.

Kubunavanua's try, set up by fellow winger Michael Nabuliwaqe, second five Poasa Waqanibau, and centre Trinity Spooner-Neera, was replayed for the television audience.

"Four men beat in-goal, a 50m kick, then at least 10 more passes - obviously a planned move," Stevenson opined.

"What were you guys thinking?"

"It's just the way we Fijians play," replied the sheepish Kubunavanua.

"Whanganui is one of the lesser known Fijian villages," Stevenson joked to a big laugh from the audience.

He asked the big winger how many times he had watched the replay of the try, which has done the rounds on social media.

"Heaps of times," Kubunavanua said. "It's a team try and the boys put in the hard yards and I'm just happy to have scored the try."

Horrocks follows Rowe (2010 and 2012), winger Cameron Crowley (2008), winger Asaeli Tikoirotuma (2009) and lock Jon Smyth (2011) in being Wanganui players to have won the Heartland Player of the Year award.