Ardie Savea has been recognized as the top rugby player in New Zealand for the third time, underscoring his extraordinary contributions to the sport over the past season. On Thursday, Savea was awarded the esteemed Kelvin R Tremain Memorial Player of the Year during the New Zealand Rugby awards ceremony. This latest accolade adds to his previous wins in 2019 and 2022.
At 32 years old, the loose forward celebrated his 100th test cap this year and played a crucial role in leading Moana Pasifika to their most successful Super Rugby campaign to date. His impressive performance did not go unnoticed, as he was also named the World Rugby Player of the Year for 2023. Earlier this season, he earned the inaugural overall Super Rugby Player of the Year award, even with two rounds of matches remaining in the competition.
Mark Robinson, the chief executive of New Zealand Rugby, commended Savea’s remarkable consistency, stating, “Ardie has a level of consistency that is unmatched, and his three awards tonight demonstrate that. He keeps raising the bar for what’s possible on an individual level and brings his inspirational leadership to every environment. He is massively respected domestically and internationally.”
The evening also featured a standout moment for younger talent, with teenager Braxton Sorensen-McGee being recognized as the Black Ferns Player of the Year and the New Zealand Age Grade Player of the Year. Earlier in the year, Sorensen-McGee was awarded World Rugby’s Women’s Breakthrough Player of the Year.
The accolades received by both Savea and Sorensen-McGee highlight a promising future for rugby in New Zealand, characterized by a mix of seasoned veterans and rising stars ready to make their mark in the sport. As these players continue to inspire, the outlook for rugby in the nation appears exceptionally bright.