Carter cleans up again

Daniel Carter kicks for goal

All Blacks and Crusaders five-eighth Dan Carter has been named New Zealand Rugby's Player of the Year for the second consecutive year.

Carter is the first player to win the prestigious Kelvin R Tremain Memorial Trophy twice, receiving the honour at the Steinlager Rugby Awards in Auckland on Thursday night.

Carter was also named the IRB Player of the Year last year after a stellar season for the All Blacks and the Crusaders.

Carter's teammate Rico Gear was the other big winner on the night, being named both the Super 12 Player of the Year and the Tom French Memorial Maori Player of the Year.

The All Blacks, who last year achieved the rare grand slam, beat the British and Irish Lions convincingly, retained the Bledisloe Cup and won the Tri Nations, easily picked up the Team of the Year award with All Blacks coach Graham Henry named Coach of the Year.

In the NPC categories, Otago halfback Chris Smylie took the First Division prize, with Hawke's Bay prop Clint Newland winning the Second Division Player of the Year title.

The winner of the NPC Division Three Player of the Year award was Wairarapa Bush centre Simanu Simanu.

In other awards, young All Black Isaia Toeava, who starred in last year's IRB Under 19 World Championship before touring with the All Blacks on their end of year tour, followed up his 2005 IRB Age Grade Player of the Year award winning the NZRU Age Grade Player of the Year.

Canterbury and Black Ferns lock Melissa Ruscoe was named Women's Player of the Year and Amasio Valence was named Sevens Player of the Year, receiving the Richard Crawshaw Memorial Trophy.

The NZRU Referee of the Year award was won by Paul Honiss, New Zealand's most experienced current referee. A member of the IRB A panel, Honiss is overseas on Six Nations duties.

The 2005 Steinlager Awards winners

NZRU Age Grade Player of the Year - Isaia Toeava

Women's Player of the Year - Melissa Ruscoe (Canterbury)

New Zealand rugby Volunteer of the Year - Daphne Boden (Hawke's Bay)

Richard Crawshaw Memorial Sevens Player of the Year - Amasio Valence

NPC Division Three Player of the Year - Simanu Simanu (Wairarapa Bush)

NPC Division Two Player of the Year - Clint Newland (Hawke's Bay)

NPC Division One Player of the Year - Chris Smylie (Otago)

Super 12 Player of the Year - Rico Gear (Crusaders)

Team of the Year - All Blacks

NZRU Referee of the Year - Paul Honiss

Tom French Memorial Maori Player of the Year - Rico Gear

New Zealand Rugby Coach of the Year - Graham Henry (All Blacks)

Steinlager Salver for Outstanding Contribution to New Zealand Rugby - Richie Guy

Kelvin R. Tremain Memorial Player of the Year - Daniel Carter (Canterbury/Crusaders/All Blacks)