Retallick best in the world... and NZ

 

The 23-year-old’s outstanding form saw the 35-Test powerhouse lock join team mates Richie McCaw, Kieran Read and Jerome Kaino who have won the top honour in recent years.  

 

The All Blacks who retained their number one world ranking for the fifth consecutive year, took out the Team of the Year for the fourth successive year while Steve Hansen earned his third successive Coach of the Year award.

 

Under Hansen’s guidance the All Blacks equalled the record of 17 consecutive victories by a major nation, secured a clean sweep in the Series against England, retained the Bledisloe Cup for a 12th year in a row, won a third successive Rugby Championship title and returned home undefeated from the recent year-end Tour with wins over USA, England, Scotland and Wales.

 

Their success was also recognised by their international peers last month when they were named World Rugby (formerly IRB) Team of the Year and Hansen; Coach of the Year.

 

In congratulating the winners, New Zealand Rugby Chairman Brent Impey said 2014 had been an outstanding year for many teams.

 

He made special mention of the efforts of those in the community game where the number of registered players topped 150,000 for the first time.

 

“We often say this, but it’s true. When the community game is in great shape, the game will thrive at the upper levels.

 

"It is the foundation on which to build success and tonight we thank all those toiling on behalf of the community game who can take credit for the achievements we celebrate here.”

 

Blues and All Blacks loose forward Jerome Kaino whose strong return to Super Rugby earned him an All Blacks recall this year. He was named Super Rugby Player of the Year. 

 

In sevens, Sarah Goss was awarded the Women’s Sevens Player of the Year honour. She was a key member of the team that helped New Zealand Women’s Sevens secure their second successive Women’s Sevens Series title and led the team to a come-from-behind final match victory to claim the Dubai Sevens last weekend.  

 

All Blacks Sevens captain DJ Forbes led from the front all season. His consistent form and strong leadership helped the team pick up their fourth consecutive World Series title this year and saw him named the Richard Crawshaw Memorial Sevens Player of the Year, his second such accolade. He also won in 2008.

 

Black Ferns and Auckland loose forward Rawinia Everitt was again named Women’s Rugby Player of the Year, an award she also earned in 2012. Her strong form helped Auckland Storm to their seventh successive Women’s Provincial Championship title this year. 

 

One of the star players of Taranaki’s triumphant NPC Cup team, Fijian-born and power centre Seta Tamanivalu, was named NPC Cup Player of the Year. His electrifying form saw four Super Rugby teams courting him for the 2015 season, before he settled on the Chiefs.   

 

Rising Waikato back Damian McKenzie was named Age Grade Player of the Year capping a stellar year for the versatile player who was also picked for New Zealand Under-20 and earned a contract with the Chiefs for 2015. 

 

Glen Jackson won his second Referee of the Year Award (his first in 2012) after an impressive season where he enhanced his international credentials and was selected for Six Nations duty next year.

 

Aaron Smith was in stunning form all year as the first choice scrumhalf for the All Blacks. He was named the Tom French Memorial Maori Player of the Year.

 

Malakai Fekitoa’s stunning solo try on the counter attack for the Highlanders – form that saw the Tongan-born midfielder force elevated to the All Blacks in 2014 – against the Sharks, was the most popular try picked by fans in the second annual Fans Try of the Year category. 

 

 

New Zealand Rugby Age Grade Player of the Year: Damian McKenzie (Waikato) 

 

Charles Monro Rugby Volunteer of the Year: Dean File (Horowhenua Kapiti)

 

New Zealand Rugby Referee of the Year: Glen Jackson (Bay of Plenty)

 

Heartland Championship Player of the Year: James Lash (Buller)

 

New Zealand Rugby Women’s Sevens Player of the Year: Sarah Goss (Manawatu)

 

Richard Crawshaw Memorial Sevens Player of the Year: DJ Forbes (Counties Manukau)

 

Fans Try of the Year: Malakai Fekitoa; Sharks v Highlanders 

 

NPC Cup Player of the Year: Seta Tamanivalu (Taranaki)

 

Super Rugby Player of the Year: Jerome Kaino (Auckland)

 

Tom French Memorial Maori Player of the Year: Aaron Smith (Ngati Kahungunu)    

 

New Zealand Rugby Women’s Player of the Year: Rawinia Everitt (Counties Manukau)

 

New Zealand Rugby Coach of the Year: Steve Hansen

 

Team of the Year: All Blacks 

 

Salver for an Outstanding Contribution to New Zealand Rugby: Dick Littlejohn (Bay of Plenty)

 

Kelvin R Tremain Player of the Year: Brodie Retallick (Waikato)