ASB Rugby Awards 2024: Waikato player’s ‘acrobatic try’ wows fans

Latrell Smiler-Ah Kiong (left) and Cody Nordstrom of the 2024 King Country team.

Te Awamutu Sports’ Latrell Smiler-Ah Kiong has taken home top honours for a special try during the Heartland Championship.

The King Country Rams back won the Sky Television Fans Try of the Year accolade at the 2024 ASB Rugby Awards for his acrobatic try in the Lochore Cup final against West Coast in Te Kūiti.

During that match, King Country were crowned Lochore Cup champions for the first time since 2015, winning 46-44 after 100 minutes of play and eight lead changes.

Former Hastings Boys’ High School rep Smiler-Ah Kiong played seven games for the Rams in 2024 as a loan player from Waikato, scoring three tries.

King Country Rugby posted the video of the try to Facebook, writing, “You voted for it, King Country whānau, and here it is. Your Sky Sports Fans Try of the Year.”

Waikato FPC champion head coach James Semple took out the ASB National Women’s Coach of the Year award, while Ōtorohanga’s Dylan Collier was named the Richard Crawshaw Memorial All Blacks Sevens Player of the Year.

Chiefs loose forward Wallace Sititi secured the All Blacks Player of the Year award and Putāruru Rugby Club’s Conor Croke is the Charles Monro Rugby Volunteer of the Year.

“Congratulations to all the winners and nominees this year,” New Zealand Rugby chief executive Mark Robinson said.

“We had a great year in the community game, with growth across the board in registrations. Seeing the stories of some of our game’s unsung heroes really highlights the heart of rugby.”

ASB executive general manager of business banking Rebecca James congratulated the award-winners and nominees for their outstanding achievements.

“We also celebrate and acknowledge the commitment and hard work of all of the players, volunteers, coaches, referees, and management teams who have each made an important contribution to rugby in Aotearoa New Zealand this year.”

Jesse Wood is a multimedia journalist based in Te Awamutu. He joined the Te Awamutu Courier and NZME in 2020.