Ardie Savea capped a milestone season by winning three major titles at the New Zealand Rugby Awards, recognised as Kelvin R Tremain Memorial Player of the Year, All Blacks Player of the Year, and Super Rugby Pacific Player of the Year.
Savea, who celebrated his 100th Test this year, was acknowledged for consistent form and leadership across the international and Super Rugby seasons. His performances for Moana Pasifika were highlighted as a key factor in securing his third major award.
Rising star Braxton Sorensen-McGee also made headlines with a pair of trophies. The 19-year-old, already recognised internationally as World Rugby’s Women’s 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year, was named Black Ferns Player of the Year and New Zealand Age Grade Player of the Year.
Veteran winger Portia Woodman-Wickliffe (Ngāpuhi/Ngāti Kahu ki Whaingaroa/Ngāti Porou) claimed her first Tom French Memorial Māori Player of the Year title and was also recognised as Super Rugby Aupiki Player of the Year.
The Black Ferns Sevens were awarded New Zealand Team of the Year, while head coach Cory Sweeney secured his sixth New Zealand Coach of the Year award, a record in the category.
Jorja Miller continued her golden run by taking out the Black Ferns Sevens Player of the Year, adding to her World Rugby Women’s Sevens Player of the Year title. New All Blacks Sevens captain Tone Ng Shiu was named Richard Crawshaw Memorial All Blacks Sevens Player of the Year.
The Steinlager Salver was awarded posthumously to Luke Crawford, a former Māori All Blacks kaumatua and NZR’s Kaihautū Māori, for his work integrating te reo and te ao Māori into rugby.
Rob Penney and Willie Walker were named National Men’s and Women’s Coaches of the Year, with their teams, the Crusaders and the Blues, securing national team titles.
Referee Maggie Cogger-Orr was recognised for her World Cup semi-final performance, becoming New Zealand Rugby Referee of the Year for the first time.
Other individual honours included Sam Darry (NPC Player of the Year), Taufa Bason (Farah Palmer Cup Player of the Year), and Declan McCormack (Heartland Championship Player of the Year). Among the club accolades, Waimate Rugby Football Club was named Club of the Year, and Sosoli Talawadua received the Te Hāpai Community Impact Award.
The night highlighted both established stars and emerging talent, showcasing the strength and diversity of New Zealand rugby heading into 2026.