Article & Journal Resources

5:00AM Friday December 14, 2007
By Alanah May Eriksen

The All Blacks were snubbed at this year's New Zealand Rugby Awards, with not one player securing a win.

Auckland flanker Daniel Braid was named Player of the Year, beating teammate Isa Nacewa and Wellington's Rodney So'oialo - one of only two All Blacks nominated for an award.

Braid, 26, was presented with the Kelvin R. Tremain Memorial Trophy at rugby's premier awards show at the SkyCity Auckland Convention Centre last night.

His consistent season with Air New Zealand Cup champions Auckland, Super 14 semifinalists the Blues and the Junior All Blacks also saw him named Maori Player of the Year and a Super 14 Player of the Year nominee.

The All Blacks' Rugby World Cup quarter-final failure to France ensured the absence of honours for the side.

It makes a change from last year when captain Richie McCaw took out Player of the Year and the man at the helm, Graham Henry, won the coaching award for the second year in the row. The All Blacks were also Team of the Year for the second consecutive year.

Last night, Hawkes Bay's Peter Russell beat off Auckland coach Pat Lam and NZ Sevens coach Gordon Tietjens for Coach of the Year.

The only other All Black nominated for an award was Blues centre Isaia Toeava, who lost to Highlanders halfback Jimmy Cowan in the Super 14 Player of the Year category.

It was unclear if this was the first year no All Black had won an award.

Team of the Year were Auckland and their first five-eighths, Nacewa, was Air New Zealand Cup Player of the Year. New Zealand Sevens captain D.J. Forbes was named Sevens Player of the Year.

Steve Walsh, who refereed five tests this year, including a Rugby World Cup semifinal, was Referee of the Year.

The New Zealand Rugby Volunteer of the Year award was won by Robbie Ball from Northland's Kaeo Rugby Club.

Mr Ball, a builder, was instrumental in rebuilding the club's facilities following devastating floods in the Northland region. His efforts were recognised earlier in the year when he was named Administrator of the Year at the Far North Sports Awards.

A special award for outstanding contribution to New Zealand rugby went to former All Blacks manager and Auckland rugby administrator Ron Don.

Auckland Storm and Black Ferns lock Victoria Heighway finally won the Women's Player of the Year after being nominated for the award three times before.

Other awards included Hawkes Bay winger Zac Guildford winning the NZRU Age Grade Player of the Year and North Otago flanker Ross Hay, winning the AA Rewards Heartland Championship Player of the Year.