Ardie Savea crowned New Zealand’s best

David Skippers

All Blacks back-row Ardie Savea was the big winner at the New Zealand Rugby Awards as he was named the Kelvin R Tremain Memorial Player of the Year for 2019.

Savea, who underwent knee surgery today and was not able to attend the award ceremony, was named the Super Rugby Player of the Year, the All Blacks Player of the Year (new award), before being crowned as the Kelvin R Tremain Player of the Year award which was won last year by Black Fern Kendra Cocksedge.

Savea reached a new level of play in 2019, starting eight of the All Blacks 10 Test matches, and he showed strength and versatility across the back-row.

Savea was a monster presence on the field in attack, often taking defenders for a ride, and on defence, where he displayed a freakish ability to turn over crucial ball at the breakdown.

Three-peat Crusaders head coach Scott Robertson won his first National Coach of the Year Award, while the 10-time champions won a consecutive adidas National Team of the Year award.

In another night for the history books, Black Ferns Sevens captain Sarah Hirini won the Tom French Cup for Maori Player of the Year, the first woman to do so in the 70 year history of the award.

Black Ferns Sevens Co-Coaches Allan Bunting and Cory Sweeney were named New Zealand Coaches of the Year, and the Black Ferns Sevens were crowned the New Zealand Team of the Year for a second consecutive year.

Tyla Nathan-Wong was named Black Ferns Sevens Player of the Year, while her skipper Sarah Hirini (Ngati Kahungunu) was named the Tom French Memorial Maori Player of the Year.

Tone Ng Shui (Tasman) was named the Richard Crawshaw Memorial All Blacks Sevens Player of the Year. Charmaine McMenamin (Auckland) collected her first Black Ferns Player of the Year Award following a prolific try-scoring 2019.

This year’s Salver, the New Zealand Rugby tradition of recognising an outstanding contribution went to a shocked Steve Tew who leaves New Zealand Rugby at the end of the year.

The award is determined by the NZR Board and event staff were forced to ingenious means to keep the award secret from Tew who would normally have full visibility of all awards.

NZR Board chair Brent Impey noted Tew’s 25-year service to rugby administration including 18 years with New Zealand Rugby. Tew was appointed chief executive in 2008.

The New Zealand Rugby Players’ Association (NZRPA) Kirk Award was presented to Josh Blackie, Seilala Mapusua and Hale T-Pole for their contributions to the game off the field.

Canterbury’s Chelsea Bremner was presented with the the Fiao’o Faamausili Medal for Player of the Farah Palmer cup, and Chase Tiatia (Bay of Plenty) took out the Duane Monkely Medal for his thrilling form during the Mitre 10 Cup.

Canterbury’s Fletcher Newell won New Zealand Age Grade Player after he was named player of the Jock Hobbs Memorial U19 tournament and was selected for the New Zealand U20. North Otago’s 2019 stand-out Josh Clark won Mitre 10 Heartland Championship Player for his consistent efforts with the Meads Cup winning side.

Rugby World Cup 2019 referee Paul Williams won his first New Zealand Referee of the Year Award.

Ian Spraggon from Bay of Plenty won the Charles Monro Rugby Volunteer of the Year recognising 11 years of voluntary work with the Union. His nomination form noted he worked tirelessly behind the scenes, he never asked for recognition but has been responsible for changing kids’ lives through rugby and has been the ultimate role model. A part of the disciplinary committee, this year the union has seen a decline in incidents – a testament to the work Spraggon and the committee have invested.

TJ Perenara’s thrilling sideline-skating try during Rugby World Cup 2019 was voted by fans as the Fans Try of the Year.

 

2019 New Zealand Rugby Awards winners:

Kelvin R Tremain Memorial Player of the Year: Ardie Savea

National Team of the Year: Crusaders

New Zealand Team of the Year: Black Ferns Sevens

New Zealand Coach of the Year: Cory Sweeney and Allan Bunting (Black Ferns Sevens)

Super Rugby Player of the Year: Ardie Savea (Hurricanes)

NZRPA Kirk Award: Josh Blackie, Seilala Mapusua & Hale T-Pole

Tom French Memorial Maori Player of the Year: Sarah Hirini (Ngati Kahungunu)

Richard Crawshaw Memorial All Blacks Sevens Player of the Year: Tone Ng Shiu (Tasman)

Black Ferns Sevens Player of the Year: Tyla Nathan-Wong (Auckland)

Black Ferns Player of the Year: Charmaine McMenamin (Auckland)

Fans Try of the Year: TJ Perenara (New Zealand v Namibia, Rugby World Cup 2019)

New Zealand Rugby Referee of the Year: Paul Williams

Charles Monro Rugby Volunteer of the Year: Ian Spraggon (Bay of Plenty)

New Zealand Rugby Age Grade Player of the Year: Fletcher Newell (Canterbury)

Mitre 10 Heartland Championship Player of the Year: Josh Clark (North Otago)

Duane Monkley Medal: Chase Tiatia (Bay of Plenty)

Fiao’o Faamausili Medal: Chelsea Bremner (Canterbury Women)

National Coach of the Year: Scott Robertson (Crusaders)

Salver for an Outstanding Contribution to New Zealand Rugby: Steve Tew

Previous Kelvin R Tremain award winners (last 10 years):

2018: Kendra Cocksedge
2017: Samuel Whitelock
2016: Beauden Barrett
2015: Ma’a Nonu
2014: Brodie Retallick
2013: Kieran Read
2012: Richie McCaw
2011: Jerome Kaino
2010: Kieran Read
2009: Richie McCaw

Hurricanes