Champion number eight Savea cleans up New Zealand Rugby Awards

Thu, Dec 11, 2025, 8:45 AM
Nathan Williamson
by Nathan Williamson

All Blacks number eight Ardie Savea has continued to clean up the awards, claiming the top honours at the New Zealand Awards.

Savea took out the Kelvin R Tremain Memorial Player of the Year as the best player in the country.

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The back-rower was also named All Blacks Player of the Year, besting World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year Fabian Holland, Cam Roigard and Quinn Tupaea, along with Super Rugby Pacific Player of the Year.

Black Ferns wingers Braxton Sorensen-McGee and Portia Woodman-Wickliffe were the other two big winners on the night.

Young gun Sorensen-McGee completed her dream season, named as Black Ferns Player of the Year, and New Zealand Age Grade Player of the Year.

It followed the 19-year-old claiming World Rugby Women's 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year, finishing this year's World Cup as the leading try and point scorer.

For Woodman-Wickliffe, she claimed her maiden Tom French Memorial Māori Player of the Year award along with Super Rugby Aupiki Player of the Year.

Black Ferns Sevens coach Cory Sweeney was Coach of the Year as his team were named NZ Team of the Year.

Jorja Miller added Black Ferns Sevens Player of the Year to her World Rugby Women’s Sevens Player of the Year title, while new All Blacks Sevens captain Tone Ng Shiu was acknowledged as Richard Crawshaw Memorial All Blacks Sevens Player of the Year.

“Congratulations to the winners and all finalists this year, being nominated in these awards is a big honour," NZR CEO Mark Robinson said in a statement.

“Ardie has a level of consistency that is unmatched, and his three awards tonight demonstrate that. He keeps raising the bar for what’s possible on an individual level, and brings his inspirational leadership to every environment. He is massively respected domestically and internationally.

“What’s great about the New Zealand Rugby Awards is being able to celebrate every level of the game – elite players, emerging stars, referees, amateurs and our grassroots game. To see community rugby volunteers and clubs acknowledged right alongside our professional players shows how special rugby is right around the country.”

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