8 Dec 2013

All Blacks scoop top awards again

1:20 pm on 8 December 2013

The All Blacks have scooped the major honours at the New Zealand Rugby awards after becoming the first Tier One nation to notch up a perfect season in the professional era.

In addition to the Team of the Year award, Head Coach Steve Hansen picked up the coaching prize for the second successive year, while Kieran Read was named the Kel Tremain Player of the Year.

The awards cap a stellar year for the All Blacks who earlier this week were named IRB Team of the Year, with Hansen and Read also being named world's best coach and player respectively.

The Canterbury halfback Andy Ellis was named ITM Cup player of the year and Highlanders back Ben Smith Super Rugby Player of the Year.

Kurt Baker and Portia Woodman won their respective Sevens Player Awards.

Ardie Savea was named Age Group Player of the Year and Liam Messam Maori Player of the Year.