League: Vatuvei wins newcomer award

New Zealand winger Manu Vatuvei has been named the International Rugby League (IRL) Newcomer of the Year.

Australian fullback Anthony Minichiello was voted best player in the game.

New Zealand Warriors rookie Vatuvei, 19, has performed strongly for the Kiwis' in the current Tri-Nations series and was surprised to receive the award at the IRL awards function in Leeds today.

"There's heaps of talent out there so I guess I'm one of the lucky ones," he said.

Vatuvei admitted he had not even expected to get a call up to the Kiwis this year.

"It's been a big dream of mine to make the Kiwis," he said. "I'm privileged and honoured to be in the team."

He paid tribute to Kiwis captain and Warriors teammate Ruben Wiki who received a special award at the ceremony for becoming the most-capped player in test history this season.

"Playing alongside Ruben is a big honour for me," he said.

"He's been a big role model of mine for many years now."

Minichiello captured the prestigious Golden Boot award, the biggest individual prize in rugby league.

Two years after replacing one of the game's all-time great fullbacks in former Golden Boot winner Darren Lockyer, Minichiello has established himself one of the game's most exciting players.

Minichiello edged out Great Britain prop Stuart Fielden, who was named International Forward of the Year ahead of Wiki.

Sydney Roosters star Minichiello is the first fullback since Balmain's Garry Jack in 1987 to carry off the prize.

In a big night for Australian rugby league, Wayne Bennett was named International Coach of the Year and Tim Mander International Referee of the Year.

The awards were voted on by rugby league writers, former players and coaches from around the world.

- NZPA