Ardie Savea, Peter Lakai, Wellington Lions win big at NZR end of year awards

For the second straight year, Ardie Savea (Oriental-Rongotai) was named All Blacks Player of the Year.

The Wellington Lions have been awarded the adidas National Men’s Team of the Year, for winning the Ranfurly Shield and the National Provincial Championship title, for the first time since 1981.

The Wellington Lions celebrate a try against Auckland in the NPC semi-final.

Outgoing head coach Leo Crowley was named Men’s Coach of the Year.

Up and coming loose forward, Peter Lakai (Petone) has won the New Zealand Rugby Age Grade Player of the Year. He was also in the running to win the NPC’s Best and Fairest Duane Monkley Medal competition, which was won by North Harbour’s Bryn Gatland.

Peter Lakai – New Zealand Rugby’s rookie of the 2022 season.

Horowhenua-Kapiti’s Ben O’Keeffe is the 2022 New Zealand Rugby Referee of the Year for the second year in a row.

The Ian Kirkpatrick Medal for the Heartland Championship Player of the Year was won by Sam Parkes (Ngāti Porou East Coast).

Sam Parkes celebrates one of his three tries in the Lochore Cup semi-final against Horowhenua-Kapiti.

Sam Blackburn’s try in the McBain Shield match for Petone against Hutt Old Boys Marist was by far the most dramatic try of the nominees but missed out to Stacey Fluhler’s try in the Women’s World Cup final as the Fans’ Try of the Year.

2022 ASB Rugby Awards (winners in bold):

New Zealand Rugby Referee of the Year:
Maggie Cogger-Orr (Auckland)
Brendon Pickerill (North Harbour)
Ben O’Keeffe (Horowhenua-Kapiti)

Charles Monro Rugby Volunteer of the Year:
Cathy Charles (Otago)
Andrew Gemmell (Thames Valley)
Allen Grainger (Waikato)

New Zealand Rugby Age Grade Player of the Year:
George Bell (Canterbury)
Peter Lakai (Wellington)
Payton Spencer (Auckland)

Steinlager Salver – Outstanding contribution to New Zealand Rugby:
Dr Deb Robinson

Ian Kirkpatrick Medal:
Siu Kakala (South Canterbury)
Sam Parkes (Ngāti Porou East Coast)
Semi Vodosese (Whanganui)

Duane Monkley Medal:
Bryn Gatland (North Harbour)
Emoni Narawa (Bay of Plenty)
Peter Lakai (Wellington)

Fiao’o Faamausili Medal:
Luka Connor (Bay of Plenty)
Maia Joseph (Otago)
Charmaine Smith (Northland)

ASB National Men’s Coach of the Year
Leo Crowley (Wellington)
Scott Robertson (Crusaders)
Nigel Walsh (South Canterbury)

ASB National Women’s Coach of the Year:
Blair Baxter (Canterbury)
Allan Bunting (Chiefs Manawa)
Blair Cross (Hawke’s Bay)

ASB New Zealand Coach of the Year:
Wayne Smith (Black Ferns)                                                              

DHL Super Rugby Pacific Player of the Year:
Will Jordan (Crusaders)
Stephen Perofeta (Blues)
Ardie Savea (Hurricanes)

Sky Super Rugby Aupiki Player of the Year:
Luka Connor (Chiefs Manawa)
Liana Mikaele-Tu’u (Blues)
Joanah Ngan-Woo (Hurricanes)

Sky Try of the Year:
Sam Blackburn (Petone v Hutt Old Boys Marist)
Stacey Fluhler (Black Ferns v England)
Will Jordan (All Blacks v Australia)

Tom French Memorial Māori Player of the Year:
Ruahei Demant (Tē Whānau ā Apanui / Te Whakatōhea / Ngāti Awa)
Stacey Fluhler (Ngāi Tūhoe)
TJ Perenara (Ngāti Rangitihi / Te Arawa)

Richard Crawshaw Memorial All Blacks Sevens Player of the Year:
Ngarohi McGarvey-Black
Sam Dickson
Caleb Tangitau

Black Ferns Sevens Player of the Year:
Michaela Blyde
Sarah Hirini
Risaleaana (Risi) Pouri-Lane

Black Ferns Player of the Year:
Ruahei Demant
Theresa Fitzpatrick
Stacey Fluhler
Sarah Hirini

All Blacks Player of the Year:
Jordie Barrett
Ardie Savea
Samisoni Taukei’aho
Sam Whitelock

adidas National Men’s Team of the Year:
Crusaders
Ngāti Porou East Coast
South Canterbury
Wellington

adidas National Women’s Team of the Year:
Canterbury
Chiefs Manawa
Hawke’s Bay

adidas New Zealand Team of the Year:
Black Ferns

Kelvin R Tremain Memorial Player of the Year:
Ruahei Demant (Auckland)