Ardie Savea takes top honour at NZ Rugby Awards

Ardie Savea continues to set a high standard in every team he represents and is a worthy recipient of the Kel Tremain award.

Mark Robinson, New Zealand Rugby chief executive

A month after claiming World Rugby’s biggest prize, Ardie Savea has been named the Kelvin R. Tremain Memorial player of the year at the ASB Rugby Awards.

It i s the second time Savea has received this country’s top rugby honour, while he was also named the All Blacks player of the year for the third consecutive year. Savea edged teammates Jordie Barrett, Scott Barrett and Aaron Smith for that honour.

“Ardie Savea continues to set a high standard in every team he represents and is a worthy recipient of the Kel Tremain award,” said New Zealand Rugby chief Mark Robinson. The World Series- winning All Blacks and Black Ferns Sevens sides were recognised, with the men named team of the year and women’s coach Cory Sweeney picking up coach of the year.

Akuila Rokolisoa received the Richard Crawshaw Memorial All Blacks Sevens player of the year award and Stacey Waaka won the Black Ferns Sevens player of the year, while Liana Mikaele- Tu’u was named the Black Ferns player of the year.

Crusaders captain Barrett and Matatu ¯ loose forward Lucy Jenkins added Super Rugby player of the year trophies to their team titles, while Smith was recognised for another stellar season by receiving the Tom French Memorial Ma ¯ ori player of the year.

The best of the provincial game was recognised with medals in honour of the competition’s greats — South Canterbury’s Siu Kakala received the Ian Kirkpatrick Medal, Hawke’s Bay Tui playmaker Krysten Cottrell the Fiao’o Fa’amausili Medal and Counties Manukau flyer Etene Nanai- Seturo the Duane Monkley Medal.

South Canterbury were recognised for their undefeated season and Meads Cup title with the national men’s team of the year award, while the Auckland Storm were awarded the national women’s team of the year after claiming the Farah Palmer Cup.

Championship- winning coach Rawinia Everitt was recognised for her efforts with the Northland Kauri, named the national women’s coach of the Year, while Taranaki’s Neil Barnes received the men’s equivalent.

The fans try of the year, decided by public vote, was given to Will Jordan’s finish following some Damian McKenzie magic against Uruguay at the Rugby World Cup.

Under- 20s star Harry Godfrey was named age- grade player of the year, international referee Ben O’Keeffe was awarded the referee of the year for the fourth time, and Waikato’s Allen Grainger was awarded the Charles Monro volunteer of the year award.

The heart of the national game was also celebrated with new awards in 2023.

Steven Li won Te Ha ¯ pai community impact award for his commitment to increasing participation, ensuring safety and fostering an inclusive environment with the rip rugby programme he developed to welcome Asian migrants to the game.

The Auckland University Rugby Football Club was named as the inaugural club of the year.

Auckland University RFC promote an inclusive culture through their fee subsidy programme, creation of gender- neutral changing facilities along with several on- and off- field participation opportunities for their community.

In a big night for the club, life member Rob Fisher was recognised with the Steinlager Salver for outstanding contribution to New Zealand rugby.