Beauden Barrett and Ardie Savea have been named joint 2016 Hurricanes Player of the Year at the team’s annual awards night in Wellington.
The Hurricanes management could not split the contributions of first five Barrett and openside Savea during the club’s run to its maiden Investec Super Rugby title.
Barrett was the team’s and competition’s top points scorer with 223 points and steered the team expertly through the playoffs with his tactical nous, goal kicking and game management.
Savea was consistently one of the team’s top performers from week one and finished the season as Super Rugby’s top tackler with 205. He was also awarded the Hurricanes Best and Fairest award for 2016.
Barrett and Savea dedicated their joint award to their teammates with both making special mention of the young tight five, the coaching staff, and the leadership of the their captain Dane Coles.
Coles was the other finalist for the Player of the Year award and was also a Best and Fairest finalist along with fullback James Marshall. The Best and Fairest award was based on consistency throughout the season.
Lock Michael Fatialofa headed off an extremely strong field to win Rookie of the Year. Fatialofa started the season in the wider training group, but finished with 15 Super Rugby caps and 14 starts.
The other finalists were Fatialofa’s fellow lock Vaea Fifita, hooker Ricky Riccitelli, and popular prop Loni Uhila.
Uhila was named as the Team Man of the Year, an award given to the player who made the biggest contribution to the culture of the team. The Tongan Bear was a breath of fresh air in 2016 and a highly popular member of the squad for his humour, humble nature and powerful play on the field.
The other Team Man of the Year finalists were Marshall and loose forward Callum Gibbins.
Many of the award winners on the night made special reference to the players in the wider squad who got little game time, but put their bodies on the line in training each week to mimic upcoming opponents.
For those players the Super XV Award went to loose forward Hugh Renton, who edged out wing Wes Goosen and lock James Blackwell.
The awards night at the Te Wharewaka Functions Centre was also a chance for the club to pause and remember three alumni who had passed away during the year with a moments silence for former team doctor Dave Velvin (2002-05), facilities manager Chris Tye (2009-16) and Hurricanes director Richard Riddiford (2004-16).
Five players Victor Vito, Motu Matu’u, James Marshall, Willis Halaholo, and Jamison Gibson-Park were farewelled as they embark on the next chapter of their respective playing careers overseas.
2016 Hurricanes Awards
Player of the Year: Beauden Barrett and Ardie Savea.
Finalists: Barrett, Savea, Dane Coles.
Rookie of the Year: Michael Fatialofa.
Finalists: Fatialofa, Ricky Riccitelli, Vaea Fifita, Loni Uhila.
Team Man of the Year: Loni Uhila.
Finalists: Uhila, James Marshall, Callum Gibbins.
Super XV Award: Hugh Renton.
Finalists: Renton, James Blackwell, Wes Goosen.
Milestones:
100 Matches: Cory Jane, Victor Vito.
50 Matches: Reggie Goodes.
International Representatives:
All Blacks: Dane Coles, TJ Perenara, Ardie Savea, Julian Savea, Beauden Barrett.
Samoa: Motu Matu’u.
USA: Tony Lamborn.
NZ Under 20s: Leni Apisai, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Peter Umaga-Jensen, TJ Va’a.
Hurricanes debuts: Ngani Laumape, Jamison Gibson-Park, Leni Apisai, Loni Uhila, Michael Fatialofa, Mike Kainga, Ricky Riccitelli, Tony Lamborn, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Wes Goosen.
Departing players: Victor Vito (France), Motu Matu’u (England), Jamison Gibson-Park (Ireland), James Marshall (England), Willis Halaholo (Wales).