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All Blacks captain Sam Cane received the highest honor at the NZ Rugby awards on Thursday night.
Cane, who led the All Blacks to the defense of the Bledisloe Cup and the Three Nations title in his first year as a skipper, claimed the Kelvin R Tremain Memorial award during a made-for-TV special on Sky Sport.
Cameron Spencer / Getty Images
All Blacks captain Sam Cane helped the team retain the Bledisloe Cup and win the Three Nations title this year.
At the beginning of the year, no one dared to predict that wide wing Cane, who replaced Kieran Read when he retired from test rugby after the World Cup in Japan, would have to negotiate such a difficult year.
The uncertainty created by Covid-19 meant that Cane and his fellow All Blacks faced multiple challenges; this included playing only 2 events in New Zealand and being denied the opportunity to test themselves against world champions Springboks and tour the northern hemisphere.
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Despite a modest comeback during his first year in charge, a first loss to Argentina and a loss and a draw to Australia meant the All Blacks won only 3 of their 6 tests and fell to number 3 in the World Rugby rankings, Cane put on some of his best performances in the All Blacks career.
He was also named the All Blacks Player of the Year ahead of Aaron Smith and Dane Coles.
The dominance of the world stage by the Black Ferns Sevens team was once again recognized. He picked up the New Zealand team of the year for the third year in a row.
Livewire Black Ferns and Canterbury running back Kendra Cocksedge received the Fiao’o Faamausili medal for the Farah Palmer Cup Player of the Year award, while Waikato’s Chelsea Alley took the top honor for the Black Ferns.
Dave Rowland / Getty Images
Black Fern Kendra Cocksedge beats Kaipo Olsen-Baker of the Barbarians to score in a game in Auckland this season.
Black Ferns Sevens coaches Allan Bunting and Cory Sweeney won the New Zealand Coach of the Year award, and Crusaders coach Scott Robertson again picked up the National Coach of the Year gong.
Crusaders No. 10 Richie Mo’unga was named Super Rugby Player of the Year, beating Aaron Smith, Patrick Tuipulotu and Jordie Barrett.
Kai Schwoerer / Getty Images
Richie Mo’unga was in good shape for the Crusaders in 2020.
The All Blacks running back Smith was nominated for 3 categories, but left empty-handed. Stacey Fluhler, who also won 3 awards, was named Player of the Year by the Black Ferns Sevens.
It was also a good night for Ash Dixon and Folau Fakatava from Hawke’s Bay.
Kerry Marshall / Getty Images
Hawke’s Bay Captain Ash Dixon celebrates Hawke’s Bay’s victory over Northland in the Miter 10 Cup Championship final.
Hooker Dixon (Ngāti Tahinga) won the Tom French Memorial Maori Player of the Year award. Running back Folau Fakatava received the Duane Monkley medal for being the best player in the men’s provincial competition.
Miter 10’s top champions Tasman won the national team of the year award. Scott Curry was the All Blacks Sevens Player of the Year.
This year’s Steinlager Salver, New Zealand’s rugby tradition of recognizing outstanding contribution to rugby, went to rugby legend and former All Black Sir Bryan Williams.
Masanori Udagawa / Getty Images
Waikato’s Stacey Fluhler scores a try during the Farah Palmer Cup semi-final against Manawatu.
Williams is a figure in the game, contributing as a player, coach and administrator for over 50 years, his commitment has also been recognized as a member of the World Rugby Hall of Fame and a Knighthood in 2018. More recently he has been a key figure behind from the Moana Pasifika team.
JASON DORDAY / Things
Sir Bryan Williams has been a key figure behind the Moana Pasifika team.
Referee Paul Williams won the New Zealand Referee of the Year award for the second year in a row.
With Covid-19 restrictions in place, Williams became the first New Zealand referee to control an All Blacks game in 40 years when he refereed the All Blacks vs Australia event in Wellington in October.
Kelvin R Tremain, Memorial Player of the Year: Sam Cane
Black Ferns Player of the Year: Chelsea Alley (Waikato)
All Blacks Player of the Year: Sam Cane (Bay of Plenty)
New Zealand Team of the Year: Seven black ferns
Super Rugby Player of the Year: Richie Mo’unga (Canterbury, crossover)
Tom French Memorial Maori Player of the Year: Ash Dixon (Ngāti Tahinga, Hawke’s Bay)
Stone Warehouse Ointments: Sir Bryan Williams
Duane Monkley Medal (Miter 10 Cup Player of the Year): Hawke’s bay
Fiao’o Faamausili Medal (Farah Palmer Cup Player of the Year): Kendra Cocksedge (Canterbury)
National Coach of the Year: Scott Robertson (Crusaders)
New Zealand Coach of the Year: Allan Bunting and Cory Sweeney (Black Ferns Sevens)
Richard Crawshaw Memorial All Blacks Sevens Player of the Year: Scott Curry (Bay of Plenty)
Black Ferns Sevens Player of the Year: Stacey Fluhler (Waikato)
National Team of the Year: Tasman
Sky TV Fan Quiz of the Year: Jack Jones (Christ University)
Referee of the year: Paul Williams (Taranaki)
Charles Monro Volunteer of the Year: Jane Chamberlain (Horowhenua Kapiti)
NZRPA Kirk Award: Andy Ell
