"It was a special year again," Hansen said. "There is a lot of pressure that comes from being an All Black, whether you are part of the management or a player. It can be daunting and some people can't cope with it, but if you make an environment in which people can express themselves then you're halfway there."
For Retallick, it is the culmination of a year in which he played crucial parts for the Chiefs and All Blacks, the rugged tight forward developing his hard-charging game into one with finesse. The 23-year-old and locking partner Sam Whitelock must be considered the No1 and No2-ranked locks in the world.
Retallick, who has played 35 tests, beat All Black skipper Richie McCaw and halfback Aaron Smith for the player of the year title.
McCaw, who delighted fans when he arrived with his hockey player girlfriend Gemma Flynn, reflected on his team's year.
Richie McCaw with his girlfriend, Gemma Flynn. Photo / Dean Purcell
"We got ourselves out of some tight spots. We perhaps didn't play perfect rugby all the way through but there was some good patches and we won games that perhaps we didn't deserve to," he said.
Before the awards kicked off, the 33-year-old posed with Flynn, 24, on the red carpet and signed autographs for children.
The Black Stick player's colourful mullet-style dress was by Australian designer Camilla. She paired it with black strappy heels and a black clutch for the night.
Malakai Fekitoa also walked the red carpet, with girlfriend Caroline McNaught.
His solo try for the Highlanders against the Sharks in Durban, which saw him beat half of the defence on a run that started on the halfway line, was the most popular try picked by supporters. "It's been a great year for me," he said.
Malakai Fekitoa with Caroline McNaught (right). Photo / Dean Purcell
Asked about his All Blacks debut, he said: "I was scared to make a mistake."
Blues and All Blacks loose forward Jerome Kaino was named Super Rugby player of the year, a major achievement following his return from two years in Japan.
Aaron Smith was named the Tom French Memorial Maori player of the year.
For the All Blacks, scooping the team of the year award last night marked their fourth successive year with the title.
James Lash. Photo / Dean Purcell
However, the team, who retained their No1 world ranking for the fifth consecutive year, have had a mixed bag of results in the past 12 months.
Two matches didn't go their way - the 12-12 draw with the Wallabies and the 27-25 defeat to the Springboks in Johannesburg - but the men in black ended the year on a bright note with the 34-16 victory over Wales in Cardiff three weeks ago.
Under Hansen, the All Blacks equalled the record of 17 consecutive victories by a major nation, secured a clean sweep in the June tests against England, retained the Bledisloe Cup for the 12th year in a row, won a third successive Rugby Championship title and beat USA, England, Scotland and Wales in last month's northern tour.
And the winners are ...
2014 Steinlager Rugby Awards
Kelvin R. Tremain player of the year:
Brodie Retallick (Bay of Plenty)
New Zealand rugby coach of the year:
Steve Hansen
Adidas team of the year:
All Blacks
Sky Television fans try of the year:
Malakai Fekitoa
(Highlanders v Sharks)
Investec Super Rugby player of the year:
Jerome Kaino
(Auckland)
ITM Cup player of the year:
Seta Tamanivalu (Taranaki)
Pink Batts Heartland Championship player of the year:
James Lash (Buller)
Tom French Memorial Maori player of the year:
Aaron Smith (Ngati Kahungunu)
New Zealand rugby women's player of the year:
Rawinia Everitt (Counties Manukau)
New Zealand rugby women's sevens player of the year:
Sarah Goss (Manawatu)
Richard Crawshaw Memorial sevens player of the year:
DJ Forbes (Counties Manukau)
New Zealand rugby age grade player of the year:
Damian McKenzie (Waikato)
Charles Monro rugby volunteer of the year:
Dean File (Horowhenua Kapiti)
NZ rugby referee of the year:
Glen Jackson
Steinlager Salver for an outstanding contribution to New Zealand rugby:
Dick Littlejohn (Bay of Plenty)
