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Ruahei Demant and Ardie Savea recognised as NZ's best at annual awards
Black Ferns co-captain and World Cup winner, Ruahei Demant has collected three major prizes at the 2022 ASB Rugby Awards, including the supreme Kelvin R. Tremain Memorial Player of the Year.
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As well as being recognised as New Zealand’s outstanding overall player in 2022, Demant (Te Whanau a Apanui / Te Whakatohea / Ngati Awa) was also named as Black Ferns Player of the Year and Tom French Memorial M?ori Player of the Year. Demant’s outstanding skills were there for all to see as she led her team to the Rugby World Cup title in New Zealand, and her teammates were also recognised with the Black Ferns awarded Adidas New Zealand Team of the Year.
On an evening where the Black Ferns performances this year took centre stage, midfielder Stacey Fluhler was awarded Sky Television Fans Try of the Year as voted by fans for her stunning finish against England in the Rugby World Cup final. And it wasn’t just the Black Ferns players who were recognised with head coach Wayne Smith named as ASB New Zealand Coach of the Year, a nod to the huge impact he made after being appointed as director of coaching in April this year.
For outstanding contribution to New Zealand Rugby, the Steinlager Salver has been awarded to Dr Deb Robinson. ‘Dr Deb’, as she is known to many, has dedicated decades to rugby, as the team doctor for Canterbury and the Crusaders, the Black Fern Sevens, the All Blacks and the Black Ferns. Most recently, Dr Robinson joined the World Rugby Council as New Zealand Rugby’s first female representative.
For the second year in a row, All Blacks loose forward Ardie Savea was named All Blacks Player of the Year, while Ngarohi McGarvey-Black won the Richard Crawshaw Memorial All Blacks Sevens Player of the Year, and Michaela Blyde took home the Black Ferns Sevens Player of the Year.
Following an outstanding season, the Wellington Lions have been awarded the Adidas National Men’s Team of the Year after breaking Hawke’s Bay’s 14-match Ranfurly Shield reign, then proceeding to take out the Bunnings Warehouse NPC title. Canterbury have won Adidas National Women’s Team of the Year after winning the Farah Palmer Cup (FPC) presented by Bunnings Warehouse.
The Canterbury region featured heavily at the awards, with Crusaders fullback Will Jordan named as DHL Super Rugby Pacific Player of the Year and head coach Scott Robertson winning ASB National Men’s Coach of the Year, after guiding the Crusaders to the DHL Super Rugby Pacific title.
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The inaugural Sky Super Rugby Aupiki season kicked off with Covid restrictions forcing the competition to be played in a tournament format across two and half weeks. Chiefs Manawa hooker Luka Connor has won the Sky Super Rugby Aupiki Player of the Year. Young Otago halfback and first five Maia Joseph has won the Fiao’o Faamausili Medal, to be recognised as the FPC Player of the Year. Canterbury Head Coach Blair Baxter has been awarded the ASB National Women’s Coach of the Year.
In the men’s competition, North Harbour first-five eighth Bryn Gatland won the Duane Monkley Medal as the NPC’s best player. Up-and-coming loose forward Peter Lakai has won the New Zealand Rugby Age Grade Player of the Year. Ngati Porou East Coast halfback Sam Parkes received the Ian Kirkpatrick Medal for outstanding contribution on behalf of professional players both on and off the field.
Horowhenua-Kapiti’s Ben O’Keeffe is the 2022 New Zealand Rugby Referee of the Year for the second year in a row, while Cathy Charles – former Otago Rugby player, coach, and volunteer – was recognised with the Charles Monro Rugby Volunteer of the Year award for her 20 year contribution to the game.
“Congratulations to all the winners and nominees this evening,” said NZR CEO Mark Robinson. “We have seen outstanding performances on the rugby field in 2022, none more memorable than the Black Ferns Rugby World Cup winning performance in front of a sold-out Eden Park. A record-breaking milestone for women’s rugby internationally.
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“It’s fitting that the Black Ferns were named as our Adidas New Zealand Team of the Year and that their co-captain Ruahei Demant has been deservedly recognised for her outstanding contribution to her team, to Maori rugby and to the game in Aotearoa. Ruahei and the Black Ferns team have epitomised the values of our game in 2022.
“I would also like to acknowledge Dr Deb Robinson, whose immense contribution to rugby has been recognised with the Steinlager Salver. Deb has been an asset to all the teams she’s been involved with and has earned the unquestioned trust of her players and management through the professionalism, knowledge and care she has maintained throughout.”
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-K?piti)
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 (Ngati 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 Maori Player of the Year:
Ruahei Demant (Te Whanau a Apanui / Te Whakatohea / Ngati Awa)
Stacey Fluhler (Ngai Tuhoe)
TJ Perenara (Ngati 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
Ng?ti 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)
Comments on RugbyPass
Super Rugby desperately needs to lose at least 2, but up to 4 teams. Rebels quietly going bankrupt would have made that a bit easier. Teams like the Rebels and Force serve only to weaken Australian Rugby and Super Rugby more widely. In 13 years in the comp the Rebels are yet to win more games than they lose in a season, have never finished in the top half of the competition, and have come dead last a number of times. The Western Force, barring a brief stint of mediocrity under John Mitchell from 2007-2009 have been even worse. Sadly it’s hard to see a future for Moana Pasifika in Super Rugby. Likewise I think the writing is on the wall for the Highlanders, it’s hard to see how NZ rugby can continue to support 5 SR teams, and population distribution suggests one team in the south island would make the most sense.
41 Go to commentsNice that Connor Evans is happy to stay on here, that JD Schikerling is returning and Steven Kitshoff. Dobbo is careful to bring back just anybody but having a new financial lease of life, it has made the Stormers a more attractive club. On top of being good quality, having the financial backing helps a lot
1 Go to commentsEngland-qualified too, I believe.
1 Go to commentsThis might turn out to be emblematic of a real issue in Irish rugby. Ireland have one of the best -if not the best - senior sides in the world, and one of the best under 20s sides as well, but don’t seem to be giving graduating under20s players many opportunities to break through into URC starting lineups. There is a risk that a lot of the junior talent they are developing will either be wasted, or lost to other nations.
1 Go to commentsYou ask good questions, Nick. The group who have put together the proposal to play out of Tarneit and participate in the growing of the ground’s capacity are not a bunch of white knights who have been dragged in post-crisis; they were around whilst the Rebels accummulated $23m in debt. Why do we come up with ideas that might make the franchise affordable after it’s broke and not when it might have prevented the trainwreck this offseason was? As for Gordon/Kellaway v Lolesio/Wright, they are both good options. I think the former are better rugby players but the goal kicking of Noah may be decisive when Schmiddy makes his choices. I know Harry Jones has the hots for Edmed but I think it’s one of his few poor choices and he and Jorgensen aren’t close to the other pairs. By coincidence, the wife and I went into town over the weekend to watch Brian Cox and Patricia Clarkson in Long Day’s Journey into Night. Beautifully acted but it was 3.5 hours in the chair and very hard work. Like the Rebels, there were only small bursts of joy to go with a lot of bad news and a depressing story line. In the end, I was hoping it would end and I could give my sore butt a break. Again, familiar.
41 Go to commentsGood decision, very good player but not international quality. But so was Jamison Gibson Park …..
3 Go to commentsLoose forwards always look good going forward and winning. It’s the same loose forwards for the Crusaders and the Canes this year as last year. Too much of the shiny new things getting noticed here while older consistent ones getting bagged. It’s early days. Calm the farm.
6 Go to commentsThanks Nick, and on the money. We tend to be apathetic until something REALLY BAD happens, then we aren't! At least this applies to the Reb players and coach, if not the spectators. They seem to be getting very quick ball at times. Have they altered something, or is it just all of the skills coming together at the right time? It seems almost the opposite of the Reds, who started the season with quick ball, but haven't been showing that in the last 3 losing games. Is it attitude (McDermott hasn't looked “right” to me for 3 weeks), or something else?
41 Go to commentsGood summary. As said, Sevu Reece has been electrifying for the Crusaders. Great try and he has been everywhere. Amazing he is now equal with Caleb Ralph , club record of 52 tries for the Crusaders. That record beckons. Good to see Dallas McLeod getting regular starts at last. A big few weeks are ahead.
6 Go to commentsGood article/interview.As was said Christian Lio-Willie was barnstorming when he came on for the Crusaders. What happened at the end, self-explanatory.Captain fantastic Scott Barrett is due back soon as well, once they are back from Aussie. Great to see Ethan Blackadder back last week.
1 Go to commentsYou must have been watching one team, Andrew - and even then you missed the brightest star in the Chiefs pack - Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 2 turnovers, genuine line-out presence and grunt around the field, and the soft hands of a back.
6 Go to commentsHaha what a crock of sh!t these headlines are. Moorby’s best year was that first. Still doesn’t seem to have the same game about him as when he was fresh but has bounced back well this season to be playing consistent tight accurate footy
3 Go to commentsIt’s even dumber than Bernard Foley not kicking the penalty to touch in the Melbourne Bledisloe in 2022.
3 Go to commentsYes, they are traveling well but it’s early days. The Chiefs were in front with 20 to go while they snatched a last minute win v the Reds. Keep calm.
1 Go to commentsThe failure of the Irish system / rugby playing style to produce their own backs has them looking elsewhere for innovation and flair - not that Jordie has much flair. He’s a converted fullback. The Canes have plenty of other younger options.
10 Go to comments1.Watch Wallace Sititi be the wild card AB. A genuine full time no 8 2. Luke J like Sotutu has not delivered. 3. Chiefs have all the right cattle but badly miss the leadership of Webber. LJ is about as unconvincing as Sam Cane when under the pump. They had the winning of that game in the second half then fell apart.
6 Go to commentsYes the Rebels are showing signs of life because they are literally playing for their live -lihoods and thanks to their Australian attack coach. However they are still playing an essentially dull boring south african style for the rest of the time. And Geoff Parling must be the most useless lineout coach ever. Worse than Steve Hansen even. Interestingly we are starting to see more cheap shots and attempts to get away with cheating by Australian players, now they are being influenced by Joe Schmidt. It was exactly the same when Rennie started out as Wallaby coach and thru his tenure. Trying to teach Australians to play like kiwis doesn’t work, as the last 20 years has conclusively demonstrated. Especially when we are not as good at it as kiwis. Which of course is the whole idea …..
41 Go to commentsGreat signing, not sure where he’ll fit in though. As for him ‘playing alongside RG Snyman, that’s highly debatable given the likelyhood that the latter will spend most of the season on sick leave.
10 Go to commentsWowee!
10 Go to commentsEvery team that has played a game in Africa this Champions Cup season is already out of the competition - including the SA teams. Could be a concidence.
30 Go to comments