Source: Radio New Zealand
The unofficial rugby awards for 2025. Graphic: Liam K. Swiggs PHOTOSPORT
Another big year for our national game is in the books, so it’s once again time to recognise the highs and lows of rugby. NZ Rugby will be issuing their official awards on Thursday, but it is once again up to us to cover off what fans really want recognised.
Here are the unofficial 2025 NZ Rugby awards:
Feel good comeback of the year award
RNZ/Nathan McKinnon
Rob Penney took the Crusaders from first to worst and back again, with this year’s Super Rugby Pacific title win presumably feeling like one of the sweetest victories in history. Penney also managed to rectify his public image after getting about as offside with the media as possible, and will now guide the perennial champions into their new home at One NZ Stadium next season.
Feel bad comeback of the year award
Damian Williamse of South Africa celebrates. Kerry Marshall / www.photosport.nz
The Sky Stadium curse returned with a vengeance this year, with the All Blacks suffering the worst loss in their entire history. That’s now six losses and draws in the last 10 tests there, with NZ Rugby very tellingly scheduling the 2026 Wellington fixture against lowly Italy.
Best moment
Aridie Savea wins a penalty and celebrates with Quinn Tupaea and Fabian Holland. Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
The All Blacks rose to the occasion in the most hyped test of the year, which was also Ardie Savea’s 100th. The win was extra satisfying as the Springboks mounted an impressive comeback, ultimately thwarted by a massive defensive play by Savea.
Player of the year
Fletcher Newell of the Crusaders celebrates after winning a penalty during the Super Rugby Pacific Grand Final. Joe Allison/Getty Images
It’s fashionably unfashionable to recognise a loosehead prop for their efforts, but Fletcher Newell played every minute of the Crusaders’ playoff run and then held a starting spot for the All Blacks for the entire season. While the All Black set piece had its issues throughout the season, Newell and Ethan de Groot’s performances flipped the script on who everyone had presumed would start in the front row.
Social media award
Beauden Barrett’s post-match interview in which he asked for leniency for Tadhg Beirne quickly racked up over a million views across all platforms, and may have played a part in the Irish lock getting his red card rescinded.
Special mention to the Blues and Moana Pasifika for disregarding any form of niceties in their cross-town rivalry, while the Crusaders banning cowbells from the Super Rugby Pacific final was an inspired bit of tomfoolery.
Worst moment
Larry the Lamb. Evan Barnes/ActionPress
The NPC Mascot Race was mired with controversy after Canterbury put current NZ sprint champion Tiaan Whelpton in the Larry the Lamb costume, to make up for the woeful sheep coming last in the also controversial 2024 race. The treacherous move saw Larry win comfortably, bringing shame to the otherwise prestigious event.
Ironman award
Ardie Savea. Brett Phibbs / www.photosport.nz
Ardie Savea played 14 games for Moana Pasifika, starting and finishing nearly all as captain, then went the distance in most of his 13 tests as well. Just for good measure, Savea also started as captain for the All Blacks in four tests.
Biggest pack of chumps
Anyone who took the R360 threat seriously, specifically journalists based in Sydney who usually cover the NRL and Zac Lomax for believing them.
Team of the year
NZ U85kg players celebrate after their win against Sri Lanka. Johnny Hendrikus/NZ Rugby
It’s been a long time since any national team has headed off with no clue about what will happen on their rugby tour, but the inaugural NZ U85kg side went to Sri Lanka with the biggest air of mystery over them since the 1905 Originals.
What followed was two comprehensive and entertaining wins over the 37th ranked test side in the world in front of over 50,000 spectators in Kandy and Colombo. Not bad for a side made up of grassroots club players.
Tourism award
Midi Olympique’s view of Hamilton. supplied
France’s tour in July didn’t just bring a sizeable squad of players, but also the biggest travelling media contingent seen in New Zealand since the last Lions tour. Dunedin and Hamilton were always going to struggle in comparison to Paris, but the assessment of both was so cuttingly Gallic you could literally smell the exhale of a Gauloises while reading.
One L’Equipe journalist described Dunedin as “a widow”, while Midi Olympique (average readership 2.7 million per issue) compared Hamilton to the Soviet Union, before adding that it was intended as an insult to the former Cold War superpower. France will return with a full strength side next year, so it will be interesting to learn what their media think of Christchurch.
– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand