Richie McCaw nominated for rugby player of the year

All Blacks vice-captain Richie McCaw has been nominated for the Super 12 and NPC player of the year after the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) released their nominees for the 2004 rugby awards.

Joining McCaw in the Super 12 category is his Crusaders teammate Daniel Carter, while the Chiefs skipper Jono Gibbes also makes the list.

In the NPC category Wellington's Conrad Smith and Glen Jackson from the Bay of Plenty are the other nominees.

The overall player of the year award will also be announced on February 3.

The All Blacks, who won 10 from 12 matches this year, vie with NPC division one champions Canterbury, Ranfurly shield winners Bay of Plenty and the New Zealand Colts for team of the year.

Bay of Plenty also figured in the coach of the year, with Vern Cotter nominated along with Canterbury coach Aussie McLean, Colts coach Bryce Woodward and sevens coach Gordon Tietjens.

In the referee of the year category, the nominees are Kelvin Deaker, Paul Honiss and Paddy O'Brien.

Categories and nominees:

NZRU age grade player: Winner named on February 3.

Richard Crawshaw Memorial sevens player: Winner on February 3.

NZRU referee of the year: Kelvin Deaker, Paul Honiss, Paddy O'Brien.

Lion Foundation Cup women's player of the year: Victoria Heighway (Auckland), Stephanie Mortimer (Canterbury), Farah Palmer (Manawatu).

New Zealand rugby volunteer of the year: Allen Grainger (Waikato), Bryce Murray (Canterbury), Adelle Wakely (Hawke's Bay).

Super 12 player of the year: Daniel Carter (Crusaders), Jono Gibbes (Chiefs), Richard McCaw (Crusaders).

Team of the year: All Blacks, Bay of Plenty, Canterbury, New Zealand Colts.

Tom French memorial Maori player of the year: Winner named on February 3.

NPC division three player of the year: Craig Tansley (Horowhenua-Kapiti), Sione Ngatu (Poverty Bay), Stu Smith (Wairarapa Bush).

NPC division two player of the year: Mark Bright (Nelson Bays), Clint Newland (Hawke's Bay), Niva Ta'auso (Counties Manukau).

NPC division one player of the year: Glen Jackson (Bay of Plenty), Richard McCaw (Canterbury), Conrad Smith (Wellington).

Coach of the year: Vern Cotter (Bay of Plenty), Aussie McLean (Canterbury), Gordon Tietjens (New Zealand Sevens), Bryce Woodward (New Zealand under-21)

Kelvin R. Tremain memorial trophy player of the year: Winner named on February 3.

- NZPA