All Black flanker Jerome Kaino has been named the Kelvin R Tremain Memorial Player of the Year at the Rugby Awards in Auckland.
Kaino, who played all but 55 seconds of the World Cup, pipped two teammates - captain Richie McCaw and second five-eighth Ma'a Nonu - for the award.
The World Cup winning All Blacks were Team of the Year and Graham Henry won Coach of the Year.
The accolades were among 13 presented at the sport's annual awards dinner in Auckland on Thursday night.
Crusaders and All Blacks loosehead prop Wyatt Crockett was named Super Rugby Player of the Year and Manawatu and All Blacks first-five Aaron Cruden is the ITM Cup Player of the Year.
All Blacks halfback Piri Weepu is the Tom French Memorial Maori Player of the Year.
Auckland and Black Ferns forward Fiao'o Fa'amausili is the Women's Player of the Year and Bryce Lawrence took out the Referee of the Year award.
Bay of Plenty flanker Sam Cane won Age Group Player of the Year and Tim Mikkelson was named Sevens Player of the Year.
A special presentation was made to former New Zealand Rugby Union chairman Jock Hobbs for an outstanding contribution to New Zealand rugby.
