SC in running for three rugby awards
South Canterbury’s green and blacks have been nominated for three New Zealand Rugby awards.
The Heartland champions have gone unbeaten for 27 games, breaking records and earning them nominations for national men’s team of the year, the Ian Kirkpatrick Medal for Heartland player of the year and national men’s coach of the year.
‘‘As a union, we are over the moon for these nominations and especially coach of the year,’’ South Canterbury Rugby chief executive Craig Calder said.
’’It is very well deserved.’’ Calder said the union would have been disappointed if they had not been nominated for team of the year having gone unbeaten for 27 games and set Heartland records during the season.
In the team category, they will go up against National Provincial Championship and Ranfurly Shield winners Wellington, Super Rugby winners the Crusaders, and Lochore Cup winners Ngā ti Porou East Coast.
The man who helped lead the side to victory, Nigel Walsh, has been nominated for coach of the year alongside Crusaders’ head coach Scott Robertson and Wellington’s Leo Crowley.
Walsh said he didn’t expect to be nominated for coach of the year, and said it really had been a team effort.
‘‘It was really unexpected, and I am really pleased, and for the team to be nominated as the team of the year just affirms all the hard work and dedication they have put in over the season.’’
Walsh said being nominated alongside Crowley and Robertson was ‘‘an honour’’.
The team’s nomination shows they are being recognised for their style, positivity and their joy of the game, Walsh said.
He said he was hoping the team would have another year of a player of the year nomination and said it was an honour for the team for the number eight of the season to be recognised.
‘‘No-one is flying up to Auckland for the awards. I think the team will watch it together,’’ he said.
South Canterbury No 8 Siu Kakala has been nominated for Heartland player of the year.
‘‘Siu has been a player in the team for four to five years, and in the last two years he has really come out of his skin and become a leader in the team,’’ Walsh said.
‘‘He is a main member of the team, and he is good all-round for the game.
‘‘I am pleased for the big fella.’’ Walsh said Kakala would be humble, but the award shows what he is doing is being recognised, and the team is proud of him.
In 2021, South Canterbury was nominated for team of the year – losing out to the Crusaders – and Willie Wright won the Heartland player of the year.
The awards ceremony will be broadcast live on Sky Sport and Prime TV on December 8, at 8.30pm.