Ardie Savea Secures Trio of Awards at New Zealand Rugby Ceremony

Ardie Savea has achieved a remarkable feat at the New Zealand Rugby Awards, securing three prestigious honors, including the highly coveted Kelvin R Tremain Memorial Player of the Year award. Savea, who recently celebrated his 100th test cap this year, previously won this accolade in 2019 and 2023, becoming one of only two players to earn it three times, alongside rugby legend Richie McCaw.

In addition to the supreme honor, Savea was recognized as the All Blacks Player of the Year and also received the title of Super Rugby Pacific Player of the Year for his leadership with the newly formed team, Moana Pasifika. Outgoing New Zealand Rugby Chief Executive Mark Robinson emphasized Savea’s exceptional consistency and leadership qualities, stating, “Ardie has a level of consistency that is unmatched, and his three awards tonight demonstrate that.”

Celebrating Community Contributions

The evening also highlighted the contributions of volunteers in the rugby community, with Jodi Taylor from the Strath Taieri club being honored as the Volunteer of the Year. This recognition follows Cathy Charles‘s achievement in 2022, further solidifying the club’s commitment to supporting the sport.

While the awards celebrated individual achievements, Otago finalists faced tough competition. Dylan Pledger, a rising star at halfback, lost out on the Age Grade Player of the Year award to Braxton Sorensen-McGee, a standout winger for the Black Ferns. Sorensen-McGee also received the title of Black Ferns Player of the Year, complementing her World Rugby Women’s Breakthrough Player Award.

Other Notable Winners

The Otago Spirit narrowly missed recognition as the Women’s Team of the Year, with the award going to the Blues. Similarly, Spirit coach Matt Direen was pipped to the post for the Women’s Team Coaching Award by Blues coach Willie Walker. In the men’s category, Mark Brown was recognized for leading Otago to the NPC final, but Rob Penney, coach of the Crusaders, took home the Men’s Coach of the Year honor.

Other awards featured James Doleman losing the Referee Award to Maggie Cogger-Orr, while Otago flanker Lucas Casey missed out on the Try of the Year award, which went to schoolboy talent Matt Fleming. Additionally, Josh Jacomb was named NPC Player of the Year for his performance with Taranaki.

Special recognitions also included Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, who took home two awards: Super Rugby Aupiki Player of the Year and the Tom French Memorial Māori Player of the Year. Taufa Bason was named the best player in the Farah Palmer Cup, while Keanu Taumata earned the title of Heartland Player of the Year.

Finally, the late Luke Crawford, a former Māori All Blacks kaumatua, was posthumously honored as the recipient of the Steinlager Salver, celebrating his contributions to rugby in New Zealand.