Top honour to Nabura

Ngāti Porou Coast midfield back Tevita Nabura smashes into the North Otago defence in a Heartland Championship game at Ruatoria. Nabura was named the Coast’s Player of the Year at the union’s annual awards.Pictures by Paul Rickard

Midfield back Tevia Nabura’s powerhouse season for the Ngāti Porou East Coast Kaupoi was rewarded with the top individual accolade at the union’s 2023 prizegiving held at Whakarua Park.

Fijian Nabura won the Coast Heartland squad Player of the Year after playing a prominent role in the Coast making the Meads Cup semifinals where they lost to champions South Canterbury.

Eight representative teams ranging from under-14 to the Heartland Championship squad celebrated their respective seasons at the Coast prizegiving.

Fullback Renata Roberts-Te Nana won Heartland Back of the Year after a standout season for the Kaupoi which he capped by making the Heartland XV for matches against Canterbury Development and the Barbarians.

Forward of the Year went to lock Hoani Te Moana while Most Improved was won by replacement back Josh Dearden.

Another replacement forward, Rico Te Kani, was named Rookie of the Year.

Consistency was key to the award decisions, Coast Heartland coach Kahu Tamatea said.

“It was hard to make the selections for these awards,” Tamatea said.

“We, as management, had input as a collective. We looked at who did the hard yards and the not-so-flashy work game after game.

“It’s never an easy job as everyone contributes during a season”

Tamatea’s first season at the coaching reins of the Kaupoi saw them move from Lochore Cup (fifth-to-eighth-placed) champions last season to strong contenders for the Meads Cup (top four).

They pushed defending champions South Canterbury in the semi.

The Coast led 17-3 early in the second half and the southerners’ 29-match unbeaten Heartland run was under serious threat only for them to storm back for a 34-17 win that did not reflect how hard they had to work.

Talented midfield back and team leader Cheyenne Babbington-Ngerengere was named NPEC Hamoterangi women’s team Player of the Year.

It was a historic season for Hamoterangi as they took part in the inaugural North Island Heartland competition.

Babbington-Ngerengere was also named Players’ Player of the Year and was the team’s top tryscorer and points-scorer while Morgan White was Forward of the Year and Waiotemarama Parata-Haua Back of the Year.

Referees were also recognised at the awards. Chris Haenga was Rookie of the Year and Mat Richards Referee of the Year.

AWARD WINNERS —

Under-14 boys

Most improved: Tuterangiwhiu Wanoa.

Back: Ardie J Smith.

Forward: Rakairoa Ngatai.

Most Valuable Player: Phoenix Richardson.

Under-15 girls

Most improved: Kahlia Keelan.

Back: Whaiora Kopa.

Forward: Kasey Gobbie.

Most Valuable Player: Kingston Taiapa.

Player of the year: Liah Biddle-Murtagh.

Under-15 Boys

Most improved: Shyden Johnson.

Back: Orlando Manuel.

Forward: Alex Brosnahan.

Most Valuable Player: Cortez Korau.

Under-16 boys

Most improved: Jahntaye Haerewa-Tibble.

Back: Khan Henderson.

Forward: Ngakau Welsh.

Most Valuable Player: Hieke McGarvey.

Under-18 girls

Most improved: Casey Dewes.

Back: Taina Rae Keelan-Wyllie.

Forward: Kingston Taiapa.

Most Valuable Player: Jordyn Tihore.

Under-18 boys

Most improved: Mohi Shelford.

Back: Eru Harawira.

Forward: Payton Tihore.

Most Valuable Player: Taipari Wirepa.

NPEC Hamoterangi

Most Valuable Player: Charlie Haua-Kahaki.

Players’ Player: Cheyenne Babbington-Ngerengere.

Forward: Morgan White.

Back: Waiotemarama Parata-Haua.

Rookie of the Year: Betty Rei.

Young Player of the Year: Kararaina Keelan.

Top tryscorer: Cheyenne Babbington-Ngerengere.

Most versatile: Waiotemarama Parata-Haua.

Top points-scorer: Cheyenne Babbington-Ngerengere.

Most dedicated: Charlie Haua-Kahaki.

Most promising: Machela Hale.

Tackler: Morgan White.

Player of the Year: Cheyenne Babbington-Ngerengere

Special awards presented by Hamoterangi

U18 girls’ Most Valuable Player: Alizay Grant.

U15 girls’ Most Valuable Player: Liah Biddle-Murtagh.

NPEC Kaupoi

Most improved: Josh Dearden.

Rookie of the Year: Rico Te Kani.

Back: Renata Roberts-Tenana.

Forward: Hoani Te Moana.

Best and Fairest: Richard Green.

Player of the Year: Tevita Nabura.

NPEC Referees

Rookie of the Year: Chris Haenga.

Referee of the Year: Mat Richards.