Chiefs Rugby Club congratulates 2021 ASB NZ Rugby Awards
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, this year’s awards were once again presented in a made-for-TV special on Sky, with awards presented to New Zealand’s leading players, coaches, administrators, and referees.
Newly appointed Waitomo Chiefs Manawa Head Coach Allan Bunting, alongside his co-coach of the Black Ferns Sevens were jointly named as the ASB New Zealand Coach of the Year for the third year in a row. The Black Ferns Sevens were recognised as the adidas New Zealand Team of the Year for the fourth year running.
Following an outstanding year and personal performance on the Black Ferns end of year tour Waitomo Chiefs Manawa loose forward Kennedy Simon was named as Black Ferns Player of the Year.
Waikato’s Ross Filipo took out ASB National Coach of the Year, after guiding the Mooloos to the Bunnings Warehouse NPC Premiership title in the union’s centenary year. Taranaki first-five Stephen Perofeta won the Duane Monkley Medal as the NPC’s best player, after guiding his team to an undefeated season in the Championship, while Taranaki teammate, Gallagher Chief and new All Black Josh Lord was named New Zealand Rugby Age Grade Player of the Year.
To cap off the achievements for Chiefs Country, Bay of Plenty’s Scott Curry took home the All Blacks Sevens Player of the Year award.
Black Ferns Sevens captain Sarah Hirini collected three major prizes at the 2021 ASB New Zealand Rugby Awards, including the supreme Kelvin R. Tremain Memorial Player of the Year. As well as being recognised as New Zealand’s outstanding overall player in 2021, Hirini (Ngāti Kahungunu) was also named as the Black Ferns Sevens Player of the Year and became a two-time winner of the Tom French Memorial Māori Player of the Year award.
Chiefs Rugby Club CEO Michael Collins said: “Congratulations to all the winners and nominees. There have been some outstanding performances on the field in 2021, to have Chiefs Country widely represented among both award winners and nominees is outstanding.”
“To Allan, Kennedy, Ross, Scott and Josh congratulations on being named as winners of your respective categories. You are all deserving recipients and we are proud of what you have achieved.”
“Congratulations to Sarah on being deservedly recognised for her outstanding contribution to rugby and concluding an outstanding year,” finished Collins.
2021 ASB Rugby Awards (winners in bold)
New Zealand Rugby Referee of the Year:
James Doleman (Otago)
Ben O'Keeffe (Auckland)
Tiana Ngawati (Bay of Plenty)
Charles Monro Rugby Volunteer of the Year:
Paul Batters (Counties Manukau)
Peter Chaplin (Canterbury)
Greg Heller (Otago)
Steinlager Salver:
Anna Richards (Auckland)
NZRPA Kirk Award:
Melodie Robinson (Auckland)
New Zealand Rugby Age Grade Player of the Year:
Chay Fihaki (Canterbury)
Josh Lord (Taranaki)
Soane Vikena (Auckland)
Bunnings Warehouse Heartland Championship Player of the Year:
Hone Haerewa (Ngāti Porou East Coast)
Willie Wright (South Canterbury)
Stefan Destounis (Poverty Bay)
Duane Monkley Medal:
Lincoln McClutchie (Hawke's Bay)
Stephen Perofeta (Taranaki)
Luke Romano (Canterbury)
Fiao'o Faamausili Medal:
Grace Houpapa-Barrett (Waikato)
Krystal Murray (Northland)
Joanah Ngan-Woo (Wellington)
ASB National Coach of the Year:
Neil Barnes (Taranaki NPC)
Ross Filipo (Waikato NPC)
Scott Robertson (Crusaders)
James Semple (Waikato FPC)
Sky Super Rugby Player of the Year:
Richie Mo'unga (Canterbury)
Dalton Papalii (Counties Manukau)
Aaron Smith (Manawatū)
Tom French Memorial Māori Player of the Year:
Ash Dixon (Hawke's Bay)
Sarah Hirini (Manawatū)
Aaron Smith (Manawatū)
Richard Crawshaw Memorial All Blacks Sevens Player of the Year:
Scott Curry (Bay of Plenty)
Andrew Knewstubb (Tasman)
Ngarohi McGarvey-Black (Ngāti Porou East Coast)
Black Ferns Sevens Player of the Year:
Gayle Broughton (Taranaki)
Sarah Hirini (Manawatū)
Tyla Nathan-Wong (Northland)
Black Ferns Player of the Year
Les Elder (Bay of Plenty)
Kennedy Simon (Waikato)
Liana Mikaele-Tu'u (Auckland)
All Blacks Player of the Year:
Jordie Barrett (Taranaki)
Rieko Ioane (Auckland)
Will Jordan (Tasman)
Ardie Savea (Wellington)
adidas National Team of the Year:
Crusaders
South Canterbury
Waikato FPC
Waikato NPC
Kelvin R Tremain Memorial Player of the Year:
Sarah Hirini (Manawatū)
