Baxter Among Plethora of South Island Faces Nominated for NZ Rugby Awards

Head Coach Blair Baxter has been nominated for National Women’s Coach of the Year in this year’s New Zealand Rugby Awards for his outstanding work with Canterbury’s FPC team.

Baxter led the Canterbury Women to yet another Farah Palmer Cup title this year, their fifth in six years and Baxter’s second at the helm.

In a fantastic advertisement for the wealth of coaching ability in our region, Crusaders Coach Scott Robertson and Nigel Walsh of South Canterbury have both been nominated for National Men’s Coach of the Year.

Additionally, Cathy Charles (Otago), Siu Kakala (South Canterbury) and Maia Joseph (Otago) have received nominations for volunteering, outstanding Heartland Championship player, and most outstanding Farah Palmer Cup Player as voted by commentators, respectively.

To top off a successful round of nominations, Canterbury’s champion FPC team has been nominated for the National Women’s Team of the Year. As one of Matatū’s key feeder sides, having Canterbury recognised as one of the best women’s sides in the country is a great sign for the upcoming Aupiki season.

This year’s awards will be presented live on Sky Sport 1 and Prime at 8.30PM on Thursday 8 December, with awards presented to leading teams, players, coaches, administrators, and referees.

The hotly contested Sky Television Fans Try of the Year is open for public vote. Click here to place your vote, which closes at 8pm Wednesday 30 November.

The 2022 Rugby Awards will be broadcast live on Sky Sport and Prime TV on 8 December at 8.30PM:

The full list of nominees are:

New Zealand Rugby Referee of the Year:

Maggie Cogger-Orr (Auckland)
Brendon Pickerill (North Harbour)
Ben O'Keeffe (Auckland)

Charles Monro Rugby Volunteer of the Year:

Cathy Charles (Otago)
Andrew Gemmell (Thames Valley)
Allen Grainger (Waikato)

New Zealand Rugby Age Grade Player of the Year:

George Bell (Canterbury)
Peter Lakai (Wellington)
Payton Spencer (Auckland)

Ian Kirkpatrick Medal:

Siu Kakala (South Canterbury)
Sam Parkes (Ngāti Porou East Coast)
Semi Vodosese (Whanganui)

Duane Monkley Medal:

Bryn Gatland (North Harbour)
Emoni Narawa (Bay of Plenty)
Peter Lakai (Wellington)

Fiao'o Faamausili Medal:

Luka Connor (Bay of Plenty)
Maia Joseph (Otago)
Charmaine Smith (Northland)  

National Men's Coach of the Year

Leo Crowley (Wellington)
Scott Robertson (Crusaders)
Nigel Walsh (South Canterbury)

National Women's Coach of the Year:

Blair Baxter (Canterbury)
Allan Bunting (Chiefs Manawa)
Blair Cross (Hawke’s Bay)                                                                    

DHL Super Rugby Pacific Player of the Year:

Will Jordan (Crusaders)
Stephen Perofeta (Blues)
Ardie Savea (Hurricanes)

Sky Super Rugby Aupiki Player of the Year:

Luka Connor (Chiefs Manawa)
Liana Mikaele-Tu'u (Blues)
Joanah Ngan-Woo (Hurricanes)

Tom French Memorial Māori Player of the Year :

Ruahei Demant (Tē Whānau ā Apanui / Te Whakatōhea / Ngāti Awa)
Stacey Fluhler (Ngāi Tūhoe)
TJ Perenara (Ngāti Rangitihi / Te Arawa)

Richard Crawshaw Memorial All Blacks Sevens Player of the Year:
Ngarohi McGarvey-Black
Sam Dickson
Caleb Tangitau

Black Ferns Sevens Player of the Year:

Michaela Blyde
Sarah Hirini
Risaleaana (Risi) Pouri-Lane

Black Ferns Player of the Year:

Ruahei Demant
Theresa Fitzpatrick
Stacey Fluhler
Sarah Hirini

All Blacks Player of the Year:

Jordie Barrett
Ardie Savea
Samisoni Taukei’aho
Sam Whitelock

adidas National Men's Team of the Year

Crusaders
Ngāti Porou East Coast
South Canterbury
Wellington

Adidas National Women's Team of the Year:

Canterbury
Chiefs Manawa
Hawke's Bay