Blair earns international player accolade

Northlander and Kiwis vice-captain Adam Blair has capped an exceptional year by  being named the New Zealand Rugby League's 2009 International Player of the Year.
The announcement comes as the 23-year-old 2008 World Cup winner is preparing for another career highlight when he appears for the NRL All Stars in Saturday night's season-launching clash against the Indigenous All Stars in Robina.
Northland-raised Blair was in dominant form throughout 2009.
He appeared in each of the Kiwis' five tests and stood out as one of the most impressive players on the field as he helped Melbourne to its 23-16 NRL grand final win against Parramatta.
Many judges thought he should have won the Clive Churchill Medal as the player of the match.
Blair's performances were all the more remarkable because he was moved from his familiar propping role to play as an edge-running back-rower in the latter part of the Storm's premiership-winning campaign. And during the Four Nations, coach Stephen Kearney used him at loose forward.
"Adam had a fantastic year for both club and country and really showed his versatility by being able to play equally well in the front row and the back row," said Kearney.
Blair has now played 16 tests since making his Kiwi debut during the 2006 Tri Nations while he has amassed 76 NRL appearances for Melbourne heading into the 2010 season.