News

New Zealand sweep NZ awards

December 04 2008

The All Blacks were the big winners at the 2008 New Zealand rugby awards, scooping Team of the Year and Coach of the Year gongs on Thursday.

The Crusaders were also in the running after taking their seventh Super Rugby title, but up against a team that swept England aside, claimed another Tri-Nations and completed a Grand Slam of the home nations on tour, Robbie Deans' men came off second best.

Hurricanes and All Blacks hooker Andrew Hore won Player of the Year after a terrific season with the 'Canes and despite being forced out of the November tour with injury.

For Graham Henry, who beat Robbie Deans for New Zealand over Australia as well as for this award ahead of the former Crusaders coach, the circle of redemption after the World Cup exit furore a year ago is now all but complete as well.

In addition to winning the overall Player of the Year title, Hore was also named Super 14 Player of the Year.

Other All Blacks to pick up awards were Southland captain Jamie Mackintosh, who won the Air New Zealand Cup Player of the Year, and Piri Weepu, who won the Maori Player of the Year.

Sevens captain DJ Forbes added the Sevens Player of the Year award to the IRB Sevens Player of the Year award he won last month.

Hawke's Bay's rising star Zac Guildford - who made quite an impression for the Hurricanes as well - won Age Grade Player of the Year.