29 Jan 2015

Mannering wins Kiwis Player of the Year

11:12 am on 29 January 2015

The New Zealand Rugby League captain Simon Mannering has beaten out Golden Boot winner Shaun Johnson and Jess Bromwich to take the Kiwis Player of the Year award.

Simon Mannering captain of the Kiwis holds the Four Nations trophy.

Simon Mannering holds the Four Nations trophy. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

The Warriors backrower led the Kiwis to the Four Nations title in October, beating the Kangaroos in the final and the pools rounds, to secure back-to-back wins over Australia for the first time in 60 years.

Mannering says he is humbled by the award and says 2014 was a very special year for the sport in New Zealand.

He believes there's a lot of desire for the game in the country, and it was great to have the opportunity to play at home in the Four Nations tournament.

The North Queensland backrower Jason Taumalolo won the Kiwis rookie of the year gong, while Atawhai Tupaea picked up Women's Player of the Year.

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