Updated: 7:12am – The Black Ferns have capped off a stellar season in being named Team of the Year at the annual New Zealand Rugby awards in Auckland.
It was the first time the side, who lifted the Women’s Rugby World Cup for the fifth time in August, had have won the accolade.
It comes after they secured the team of the year title at the World Rugby Awards in Monaco in late November.
Black Ferns mentor Glenn Moore was named coach of the year, while star winger Portia Woodman’s brilliant solo try against the United States in the World Cup semi-final, one of four she scored in the match, was voted fans’ try of the year.
All Blacks lock and Crusaders captain Sam Whitelock collected two awards on Thursday night – player of the year and Super Rugby player of the year.
Sevens legend DJ Forbes, who retired in September, also collected two awards – All Blacks Sevens player of the year and the NZ Rugby Players Association’s Kirk Award for his contribution to the game.
Black Ferns loose forward and Black Ferns Sevens captain Sarah Goss was named the women’s player of the year after a World Cup campaign where she started every match.
Meanwhile, Black Ferns Sevens teammate Ruby Tui was named Black Ferns Sevens player of the year.
The newly introduced Duane Monkley and Fiao’o Fa’amausili Medals were presented for the first time to the best players in the men’s national provincial championship and the women’s Farah Palmer Cup.
Northland’s Jack Goodhue and Counties Manukau’s Hazel Tubic were the respective winners.
An impressive 12 months with the whistle resulted in Wellingtonian Ben O’Keeffe being named New Zealand referee of the year.
World Rugby’s 2017 breakthrough player of the year, Rieko Ioane, added Maori player of the year to his collection.
NZ RUGBY AWARD WINNERS:
- Age Grade – Asafo Aumua (Wellington)
- Heartland Championship – Scott Cameron (Horowhenua Kapiti)
- All Blacks Sevens – DJ Forbes
- Black Ferns Sevens – Ruby Tui
- Duane Monkley Medal – Jack Goodhue (Northland)
- Fiao’o Fa’amausili Medal – Hazel Tubic (Counties Manukau)
- Super Rugby – Sam Whitelock (Crusaders)
- Maori – Rieko Ioane (Ngapuhi / Te Whanau a Apanui)
- Women – Sarah Goss
- Men – Sam Whitelock
- Coach – Glenn Moore (Black Ferns)
- Referee – Ben O’Keeffe
- Team – Black Ferns
- Try of the Year – Portia Woodman (Black Ferns)
- Volunteer of the Year – Sid Tatana (Wairarapa Bush)
-NewstalkZB
Featured image: The win caps off an amazing year for the team (Image / Getty Images)
