O'Connor scoops Blues' awards

Outstanding loose forward Brendon O'Connor was voted the Blues' Most Valuable Player and the Players' Player of the Year.

O'Connor, who played in every game and started in 15 of the 16 Super Rugby matches, was honoured at the Blues awards function.

Southland lock Josh Bekhuis was voted the Fans' Player of the Year, while North Harbour's Matt McGahan was voted Development XV Player of the Year.

Other awards went to James Parsons (nutrition), Ofa Tu'ungafasi (Player in the Community), Melani Nanai (Rookie of the Year) and Tony Hanks (Club Person of the Year) and inaugural winner of the Mealamu Medal.

The function also honoured players leaving the club, notably the legendary Keven Mealamu and Tony Woodcock, who announced they have brought an end to their Super Rugby careers, with 324 caps and 28 years of Super Rugby between them.