ASB New Zealand Rugby Awards nominees announced

Awards season continues with the ASB Rugby Awards the next on New Zealand’s calendar. Rising stars are prominent throughout the categories, of which there are 10.

Friday’s announcement recognised more of both Super Rugby and the international arena’s finest performers in 2024, both players and referees. International coaches are also up for the Coach of the Year Award, as well as competing for Team of the Year.

Powerhouse forwards Kaipo Olsen-Baker and Tyrel Lomax have earned multiple nominations, while the Super Rugby Pacific champion Blues boast two nominations for Super Rugby Pacific Player of the Year. The Super Rugby Aupiki Player of the Year nominees are spread evenly across the four clubs.

The nominees for the headline awards, Black Ferns and All Blacks Players of the Year, have an average age of 24 and 25 respectively, signalling a bright future for both national teams.

ASB Rugby Award Nominees are;

New Zealand Rugby Referee of the Year
Ben O’Keeffe
Maggie Cogger-Orr
James Doleman

DHL Super Rugby Pacific Player of the Year
Hoskins Sotutu (Blues)
Damian McKenzie (Chiefs)
Harry Plummer (Blues)
Billy Proctor (Hurricanes)

Sky Super Rugby Aupiki Player of the Year
Katelyn Vahaakolo (Blues)
Layla Sae (Hurricanes Poua)
Kaipo Olsen-Baker (Matat?)
Kennedy Tukuafu (Chiefs Manawa)

Tom French Memorial M?ori Player of the Year
Risi Pouri-Lane (Ng?ti Kuia, Ng?ti Koata, Ng?i Tahu)
Tamaiti Williams (Ng?puhi)
Tyrel Lomax (Ngai Tuhoe, Muaupoko)
Katelyn Vahaakolo (Ng?ti Wh?tua, Ng?puhi, Ng?ti Maniapoto)

Richard Crawshaw Memorial All Blacks Sevens Player of the Year
Fehi Fineanganofo
Tepaea Cook-Savage
Dylan Collier

Black Ferns Sevens Player of the Year
Jorja Miller
Risi Pouri-Lane
Michaela Blyde

Black Ferns Player of the Year
Georgia Ponsonby
Alana Bremner
Kaipo Olsen-Baker

All Blacks Player of the Year
Tyrel Lomax
Tupou Vaa’i
Wallace Sititi

ASB New Zealand Coach of the Year
All Teams in Black coaches eligible

Adidas New Zealand Team of the Year
All Teams in Black eligible