The Kiwis vice captain Adam Blair has been named New Zealand Rugby League's 2009 international player of the year.
Blair appeared in all of the Kiwis five tests last year and was a member of the NRL grand final winning side, the Melbourne Storm.
Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney says Blair had a strong year at both international and club level and showed his versatility by playing equally well in both the front and back row.
The former Kiwis coach Brian McLennan was named coach of the year after guiding the Leeds Rhinos to their third successive English Super League title.
