2009 Steinlager Rugby Awards winners announced
Photo: www.allblacks.com
Outstanding leadership in the New Zealand game was highlighted by six captains being among the winners at this year’s Steinlager Rugby Awards, New Zealand’s premier rugby awards.
All Blacks Captain Richie McCaw becomes the first person to be named the Kelvin R. Tremain Memorial Player of the Year for a third time, having previously won the award in 2003 and 2006. This accolade follows his recent naming as the 2009International Rugby Board (IRB) Player of the Year, making him the first person to win the IRB Award twice (previously awarded in 2006).
Mils Muliaina, who deputised for McCaw in his early season absence and also led the Chiefs, won the Rebel Sport Super 14 Player of the Year.
Victoria Heighway, Captain of the Auckland Storm and the Black Ferns for their tour to England, was named the NZRU Women’s Player of the Year; Manawatu’s New Zealand Under 20 Captain Aaron Cruden picked up the NZRU Age Grade Player of the Year; while Zar Lawrence who filled in as the New Zealand Sevens Captain won the Richard Crawshaw Memorial Sevens Player of the Year.
The Steinlager Salver, a special presentation to a person who has made an outstanding contribution to New Zealand rugby, was presented to former All Blacks Captain DJ Graham.
After debuting in 1958 Graham played 53 matches in the black jersey, including 22 tests, and after retiring went on to an outstanding administrative career, serving as the Auckland Rugby Union’s President as well as NZRU Vice President and President.
The Tom French Memorial Maori Player of the Year Award went to exciting wonder wing Zac Guildford; Bryce Lawrence made it two in a row with the NZRU Referee of the Year; and Otago’s Blair Crawford became the inaugural winner of the re-named Charles Monro Rugby Volunteer of the Year Award for his services to community rugby.
The achievement of winning back-to-back titles was recognised by Canterbury being awarded the adidas Team of the Year for their Air New Zealand Cup triumph and Dave Rennie being named as New Zealand Rugby Coach of the Year after leading his young charges to a second IRB Junior World Championship.
Domestically, new All Blacks and Bay of Plenty pivot Mike Delany won the Air New Zealand Cup Player of the Year after an outstanding season and the Heartland Championship Player of the Year Award went to Asaeli Tikoirotumafrom Meads Cup champions Wanganui.
The judges for the 2009 Steinlager Rugby Awards were former All Blacks captain and former NZRU President Andy Leslie, NZRU Board member and former All Blacks captain Graham Mourie, SKY Sport rugby commentator Grant Nisbett and former All Black and current NZRU General Manager Community and Provincial Union Rugby Brent Anderson.
The full list of winners at the 2009 Steinlager Rugby Awards is as follows:
NZRU Age Grade Player of the Year
Aaron Cruden (Manawatu)
Richard Crawshaw Memorial Sevens Player of the Year
Zar Lawrence (Bay of Plenty)
NZRU Referee of the Year
Bryce Lawrence (Bay of Plenty)
NZRU Women’s Player of the Year
Victoria Heighway (Auckland)
Charles Monro Rugby Volunteer of the Year
Blair Crawford (Otago)
Rebel Sport Super 14 Player of the Year
Malili (Mils) Muliaina (Chiefs)
Tom French Memorial Maori Player of the Year
Zac Guildford (Hawke’s Bay)
Heartland Championship Player of the Year
Asaeli Tikoirotuma(Wanganui)
Air New Zealand Cup Player of the Year
Mike Delany (Bay of Plenty)
adidas Team of the Year
Canterbury
New Zealand Rugby Coach of the Year
Dave Rennie (New Zealand Under 20, Manawatu)
Steinlager Salver for an Outstanding Contribution to New Zealand Rugby
DJ Graham
Kelvin R. Tremain Memorial Player of the Year
Richie McCaw
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For further information contact:
Juli Clausen
NZRU Media Manager
M: 0275 70 70 45