Nonu storms to top of NZ rugby awards

NZ Herald·

11 Dec, 2015 09:35 AM4 mins to read

Ma'a Nonu has been named New Zealand's Player of the Year. Photo / Getty Images.

100-cap All Black, coach Hansen and Milner-Skudder take honours.

Ma'a Nonu, who was once unwanted by any New Zealand franchise, has added to his list of incredible achievements in 2015 by being named New Zealand's Player of the Year.

At a glittering ceremony in Auckland last night, the block-busting midfielder, who played an integral role for the All Blacks at the World Cup, faced stiff competition from national teammates Daniel Carter, Dane Coles and Ben Smith.

But Nonu, who won his 100th cap this year, won the judges' vote.

As it happened: 2015 New Zealand Rugby Awards

Carter, World Player of the Year for the third time after the World Cup, was strongly fancied to take out the top award at the red-carpet ceremony at the Viaduct Event Centre.

And even former All Blacks captain Richie McCaw was among those to hedge bets on Carter leading up to the awards.

"I think it will be hard to go past the old mate DC, who won international player of the year and was a bit of a star in the World Cup. I will be surprised if it doesn't go to him," he said as he arrived at the event without partner Gemma Flynn, who is away with the Black Sticks.

However, the judging panel felt Nonu's form over the course of the year had to be acknowledged. His return to the Hurricanes who fired him in 2011 brought the best out of him and his teammates.

Image 1 of 11: Nehe Milner-Skudder and Hanna Tevita arrive. Photo / Greg Bowker

Nonu's form with the All Blacks was equally, if not more, impressive, and he delivered a handful of hugely influential performances.

"I've really been humbled and grateful to be part of the All Blacks and representing my country," Nonu said by video message from France, where he has joined Toulon.

After thanking coaches and players, he had a special word for fans. "Very grateful that you guys always supported me over the years and I thank you very much."

The awards night was hosted by broadcaster John Campbell. The annual event celebrates all levels of rugby from grassroots through to the All Blacks and Black Ferns.

In the least surprising awards of the night, All Blacks coach Steve Hansen was named coach of the year and his World Cup-winning side was named team of the year.

Hansen said the award was humbling.

"Everywhere you go, people have really been appreciative and it is quite humbling really," he told One News.

And he revealed planning was already under way for 2016.

"We got home [from the Rugby World Cup] and once we got our feet under the table and reacquainted ourselves with the kids, it was about getting together and saying, 'Righto, we have got five leaders we have got to replace', and we have talked about that and we have got planning hotels, what planes we are going to take, how we are going to get to venues... so it doesn't stop really."

Breakthrough All Black star Nehe Milner-Skudder was another big winner, named Maori Player of the Year.

The 24-year-old had a message for the young fans he met when he arrived for the awards. "Keep believing in yourself, aim high and have pretty high goals and just work hard. Just have a lot of fun along the way."

Milner-Skudder, who arrived at the awards with partner Hanna Tevita, also revealed that he had kept in touch with his number one fan from Ruatoria, Kuratiwaka Ngarimu.

The boy's Facebook message of support and his promise that if his idol ever visited Ruatoria, "my Mum can make you a cake", went viral during the World Cup.

Lima Sopoaga, who won his first test cap this year, picked up the Super Rugby Player of the Year award to hearten everyone that the nation's stocks of first-fives are in good health.