Veteran lock Sam Whitelock was named New Zealand’s Player of the Year at the New Zealand Rugby Awards in Auckland on Thursday.
Besides claiming the top individual award, Whitelock was also named the Super Rugby Player of the Year after leading the Crusaders to the 2017 title.
The New Zealand Women claimed the Team of the Year award for the first time, while Sarah Goss was named the New Zealand Women’s Player of the Year.
Meanwhile, World Rugby’s 2017 Breakthrough Player of the Year Rieko Ioane added to his awards collection when he walked away with the Maori Player of the Year prize.
Ben O’Keeffe (Wellington)
New Zealand Cup Player of the Year
Scott Cameron (Horowhenua Kapiti)
All Blacks Sevens Player of the Year
DJ Forbes (Counties Manukau)
Black Ferns Sevens Player of the Year
Ruby Tui (Canterbury)
Super Rugby Player of the Year
Sam Whitelock (Crusaders)
Maori Player of the Year
Rieko Ioane
Outstanding Contribution to New Zealand Rugby
Wayne Smith
Coach of the Year
Glenn Moore (Black Ferns)
Women’s Player of the Year
Sarah Goss (Manawatu)
Player of the Year
Sam Whitelock
Team of the Year
Black Ferns
Photo: Michael Bradley/Getty_Images
