Black Ferns grab rugby's top award

The Black Ferns have been named Team of the Year for the first time ever, topping off a night of successes for the World Champions and women’s rugby at the ASB Rugby Awards in Auckland.

Black Ferns Coach Glenn Moore was named the ASB Coach of the Year, for his leadership in a World Cup campaign that captured the hearts of a nation, all while dropping only one match throughout the year. 

Star winger Portia Woodman’sexceptional try for the Black Ferns against USA at the World Cup was voted by the public as the SKY TV Fan’s Try of the Year.

All Blacks lock and Crusaders captain Sam Whitelock picked up two awards as he was named the Kelvin R Tremain Memorial Player of the Year and Super Rugby Player of the Year, while All Blacks Sevens legend DJ Forbes also collected two awards with the Richard Crawshaw Memorial All Blacks Sevens Player of the Year and the NZRPA Kirk Award.

2017 ASB Rugby Awards winners

SKY TV Fan’s Try of the Year
Portia Woodman (Black Ferns)

NZRPA Kirk Award
DJ Forbes

Charles Monro Rugby Volunteer of the Year
Sid Tatana (Wairarapa Bush)

New Zealand Rugby Referee of the Year
Ben O’Keeffe (Wellington)

New Zealand Rugby Age Grade Player of the Year
Asafo Aumua (Wellington)

Mitre 10 Heartland Championship Player of the Year
Scott Cameron (Horowhenua Kapiti)

Richard Crawshaw Memorial All Blacks Sevens Player of the Year
DJ Forbes (Counties Manukau)

Black Ferns Sevens Player of the Year
Ruby Tui (Canterbury)

Duane Monkley Medal
Jack Goodhue (Northland)

Fiao’o Fa’amausili Medal
Hazel Tubic (Counties Manukau)

Super Rugby Player of the Year
Sam Whitelock (Crusaders)

Tom French Memorial Māori Player of the Year
Rieko Ioane (Ngāpuhi / Te Whānau ā Apanui)

Steinlager Salver for an Outstanding Contribution to New Zealand Rugby
Wayne Smith

Coach of the Year
Glenn Moore (Black Ferns)

New Zealand Rugby Women’s Player of the Year
Sarah Goss (Manawatu)

Kelvin R Tremain Memorial Player of the Year
Sam Whitelock 

Team of the Year
Black Ferns