Retallick, Hansen and All Blacks the big winners in NZ rugby awards

All Blacks lock Brodie Retallick. Photo / Brett Phibbs.

Lock Brodie Retallick, coach Steve Hansen and their All Blacks team are the big winners of New Zealand's rugby awards tonight.

Retallick followed his recognition as world player of the year by the International Rugby Board by being named the Kelvin R Tremain player of the year at the function, sponsored by Steinlager and held at Auckland's Viaduct Events Centre complete with red carpet entrance.

Hansen was awarded coach of the year and his All Blacks team, who have lost only twice under his reign, were named team of the year. The IRB also recognised both in the same fashion this year.

It is the third year in succession that Hansen, who took over Graham Henry's role following the World Cup victory in 2011, has won New Zealand coach of the year.

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 complete with finesse. The 23-year-old and locking partner Sam Whitelock are a formidable presence in the All Blacks' scrum and lineout and must be considered the No1 and No2 ranked locks in the world.

Retallick, who has played 35 tests, beat All Blacks skipper Richie McCaw, who has led the team in 100 tests, and halfback Aaron Smith, to the award.

The All Blacks, who retained their No1 world ranking for the fifth consecutive year, took out Team of the Year for the fourth successive year.

Unlike last year, the past 12 months haven't been perfect in terms of results for the All Blacks - the 12-12 draw with the Wallabies and the 27-25 defeat to the Springboks in Johannesburg the two results which didn't go the All Blacks' way. However, the year ended on a bright note with a sparkling final 10 minutes in the 34-16 victory over Wales in Cardiff three weeks ago.

Under Hansen, who seems set to renew his contract until after next year's World Cup, 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 a 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.

Blues and All Blacks loose forward Kaino was awarded Super Rugby player of the year, a major achievement following his return from two years in Japan.

All Blacks halfback Aaron Smith was named the Tom French Memorial Maori player of the year.

Malakai Fekitoa's solo try for the Highlanders against the Sharks, which saw him beat half of the defence on a run which started on the halfway line in Durban, was the most popular try picked by supporters.

New Zealand Rugby chairman Brent Impey made special mention of the efforts of those in the community game where the number of registered players topped 150,000 for the first time.

2014 Steinlager Rugby Awards winners
New Zealand Rugby Age Grade Player of the Year: Damian McKenzie (Waikato)
Charles Monro Rugby Volunteer of the Year: Dean File (Horowhenua Kapiti)
New Zealand Rugby Referee of the Year: Glen Jackson
Pink Batts Heartland Championship Player of the Year: James Lash (Buller)
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)
Sky Television Fans Try of the Year: Malakai Fekitoa; Sharks v Highlanders
ITM Cup Player of the Year: Seta Tamanivalu (Taranaki)
Investec Super Rugby Player of the Year: Jerome Kaino (Auckland)
Tom French Memorial Maori Player of the Year: Aaron Smith (Ngati Kahungunu)
New Zealand Rugby Women's Player of the Year: Rawinia Everitt (Auckland)
New Zealand Rugby Coach of the Year: Steve Hansen
adidas Team of the Year: All Blacks
Steinlager Salver for an Outstanding Contribution to New Zealand Rugby: Dick Littlejohn (Bay of Plenty)
Kelvin R Tremain Player of the Year: Brodie Retallick (Waikato)