League: Rising star up against the veterans for top honour

Rising star Sonny Bill Williams is one of three finalists for the New Zealand Rugby League's Player of the Year Award but he faces tough opposition from two elder statesmen.

Last-test captain Paul Rauhihi has to be front-runner after his consistent performances led the Cowboys into the playoffs for the first time.

Veteran Ruben Wiki played a similar role at Canberra, although they stumbled.

The awards dinner in Auckland next Friday will make a presentation to former national skipper Stephen Kearney as longest-serving player in the Australian premiership and most-capped Kiwi forward.

Rookie of the year nominations are Kiwi debutante Louis Anderson with two Wellington and Junior Kiwis players, second-rower Simon Mannering, signed with the Warriors, and centre Josh Davis, who has joined the Eels.

Anderson is a shoo-in, going from two Bartercard Cup games to play 16 games for the Warriors and six tests.

Mt Albert's win in the Bartercard Cup should get coach Brian McClennan across the line ahead of two-year losing grand final coach Bernie Perenara of Marist-Richmond.

And no one steered a team as consistently well as did the Lions captain Steve Buckingham, who should beat Henry Turua from the Brothers and Paul Atkins of Otahuhu.

The ref of the year picks himself too - Glen Black was nominated as NZRL number one for the Tri Nations and performed so well that that no one, including ARL secretary Geoff Carr, talked about him afterwards, the highest honour that can be accorded referees.

The referees' best and fairest nominations are Atkins, Herewini Rangi from the Tornadoes and Chris Newton of the Canterbury Bulls.

Women's player of the year nominations are Leah Witehira from Otahuhu with Richmond's Lorina Papali'i and Luisa Aviaki.

The Mad Butcher's personality of the year nominations are new Kiwis fullback Brent Webb, Wiki and new coach Tawera Nikau.