Savea Dominates New Zealand Rugby Awards with Triple Triumph

Ardie Savea achieved a remarkable feat at the New Zealand Rugby Awards held on March 15, 2024, claiming three prestigious accolades. The 32-year-old loose forward, who reached his milestone of 100 test caps this year, received the supreme honor, the Kelvin R Tremain Memorial player of the year award. Savea has now secured this award three times, following his wins in 2019 and 2023, joining the legendary Richie McCaw as the only players to achieve this distinction.

In addition to the top honor, Savea was named All Blacks player of the year and recognized for his inspiring leadership with Moana Pasifika, earning him the title of Super Rugby Pacific player of the year. His exceptional performance this season was highlighted by outgoing New Zealand Rugby chief executive Mark Robinson, who remarked, “Ardie has a level of consistency that is unmatched, and his three awards tonight demonstrate that.” Robinson commended Savea for continually raising the bar in individual performance and exhibiting inspirational leadership across all environments.

Volunteer Recognition and Other Awards

The Strath Taieri club celebrated as Jodi Taylor was named volunteer of the year for her dedicated contributions. Taylor’s recognition follows last year’s honor awarded to Cathy Charles from Alhambra-Union, who received the same accolade named after New Zealand rugby pioneer Charles Monro.

Despite strong performances, several Otago finalists were narrowly defeated in their respective categories. Halfback sensation Dylan Pledger was edged out for the age grade player of the year award by Braxton Sorensen-McGee, a standout winger for the Black Ferns, who also claimed the Black Ferns player of the year award along with the World Rugby women’s breakthrough player title.

The Otago Spirit missed out on the women’s team of the year award to the Blues, while Spirit coach Matt Direen lost the women’s team coaching award to Willie Walker of the Blues. Mark Brown, who concluded his first year with the Otago team reaching the NPC final, saw the Crusaders coach Rob Penney take home the men’s coach of the year award.

In other categories, test referee James Doleman was not awarded the referee title, which went to Maggie Cogger-Orr. The contest for try of the year also saw Otago’s Lucas Casey overlooked in favor of Matt Fleming, a high school player from Westlake.

The evening also recognized the achievements of players across various teams, with Josh Jacomb named NPC player of the year for his performance with Taranaki. Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, a celebrated figure in women’s rugby, took home two awards: the Super Rugby Aupiki player of the year and the Tom French Memorial Māori player of the year.

Auckland’s Taufa Bason received the title of best Farah Palmer Cup player, while Keanu Taumata from Poverty Bay was named the Heartland player of the year. Additionally, Cory Sweeney, coach of the Black Ferns Sevens, was honored as New Zealand coach of the year for a record sixth time, with Jorja Miller and Tone Ng Shiu winning the sevens players of the year awards.

Team awards went to the Black Ferns Sevens as the best New Zealand team and the Crusaders as the best national men’s team. The Waimate club was recognized as the club of the year. The night concluded with a posthumous tribute to Luke Crawford, a former Māori All Blacks kaumatua, who received the Steinlager Salver for his contributions to the sport.