League: Jason Taumalolo in line for Kiwis Player of the Year award

Kiwis lock Jason Taumalolo in action against England. Photo / Photosport.

Jason Taumalolo is in line to finish a stellar individual season as the Kiwis Player of the Year after being named as a finalist in the category together with New Zealand captain Jesse Bromwich and fellow forward Tohu Harris.

Finalists have been selected in 12 awards categories, with winners to be announced at a New Zealand Rugby League function in Auckland on January 20.

Taumalolo appears the standout contender having already been recognised as the premier forward in the NRL this season when he was named best in his position and joint winner of the prestigious Dally M medal, along with Melbourne and Australian halfback Cooper Cronk.

The 23-year-old was an integral part of the Cowboys attempt at back-to-back titles that saw them get to within one game of the NRL decider before losing to eventual premiers Cronulla.

Taumalolo's devastating combination of size, power and footwork posed constant problems for opposition defences and last month saw him win the attention of several American Football scouts when he participated in an NFL testing camp in Los Angeles.

He faces competition from Bromwich who took out the award last year before taking the reins as captain and leading the Kiwis in six tests over the past 12 months. He was also named Storm Player of the Year and Dally M Prop of the Year.

Storm teammate, Harris, also enjoyed an outstanding season and cemented himself as a key member of the Kiwis while also underlining his versatility by playing in three different positions - centre, five-eighth and second row - and extending his career to 16 tests.

In the other awards, Canberra wing Jordan Rapana, club-mate Joseph Tapine and Warriors centre Solomone Kata face off for the Kiwis Rookie of the Year gong, while another Kiwis newcomer, James Fisher-Harris, is in the mix for Junior Player of the Year.

Kiwi Ferns captain and twice previous winner Sarina Fiso will again contest Women's Player of the Year, after leading the national team to victory over Australia at both the NRL Nines and mid-year test in Newcastle.

She faces competition from Georgia Hale, named MVP at both international events, and Krystal Rota, who was MVP of the NZ Maori Tournament and scored the winning try in the NZRL national women's national final.

The full list of NZRL Awards finalists is:

Female Volunteer - Alana Lockhorst (The Cooks/Southland RL), Nickie Tane (Mercury Bay Boars/Hauraki District), Dania Wood (Northern Wairoa Bulls)

Male Volunteer - Tony Cuccurullo (Tasman RL), Jason Parata (Pikiao RL), Shane Price (Mt Wellington RL)

Grassroots Club - He Tauaa (Southland RL), Richmond Rabbits (Nelson RL), Takahiwai (Northland RL)

Domestic Coach - Andrew Auimatagi (Linwood Keas/Canterbury Bulls), Richie Blackmore (Papakura Sea Eagles), Rod Ratu (Counties Manukau Stingrays/NZ Residents/Southern Cross Campus)

Referee - Anthony Elliot, Chris McMillan, Shane Rehm

Domestic Player 16s - Taylor Fiu (Counties Manukau Stingrays), Jordan Riki (South Island Scorpions), Regan McClennan (Akarana Falcons)

Domestic Player 18s - Jesse Arthurs (Melbourne Storm), Chanel Harris-Tavita (NZ Warriors), Zae Wallace (Akarana Falcons)

Domestic Player Premier - Tevin Arona (Canterbury Bulls), Daniel Palavi (Akarana Falcons), Nick Read (Waikato)

Junior Player - James Fisher-Harris (Penrith Panthers), Ata Hingano (NZ Warriors), Brandon Smith (North Queensland Cowboys)

Kiwis Rookie - Joseph Tapine (Canberra Raiders), Jordan Rapana (Canberra Raiders), Solomone Kata (NZ Warriors)

Women's Player - Sarina Fiso (Counties Manukau Stingrays), Georgia Hale (Akarana Falcons), Krystal Rota (Counties Manukau Stingrays)

Kiwis Player - Jesse Bromwich (Melbourne Storm), Tohu Harris (Melbourne Storm), Jason Taumalolo (North Queensland Cowboys)