It was a night for the loose forwards as the Hurricanes and Hurricanes Poua seasons culminated with the annual awards evening.
Of the 11 awards, six went to loose forwards, with outstanding youngster, Peter Lakai scooping two of them.
Proctor and Lakai finished tied on points for the Hurricanes Men’s Player of the Year. Both had impressive seasons which saw their names in the mix for higher honours.
Poua captain, Layla Sae backed up her win in 2023, once again winning the Hurricanes Poua Player of the Year. In his first season out of school – Mosese Bason won the Hurricanes U20 Player of the Year.
A breakout season for the Hurricanes, saw 21-year-old loosie Peter Lakai voted by Hurricanes members, as their player of the year. The Hunters award, went to Veveni Lasaqa with the young loose forward impressing with his commitment to the team, whilst spending the season on the fringes.
In his first season of professional rugby, Jordi Viljoen took home the Rookie of the Year award, off the back of some impressive performances at half-back. Kemara Hauiti-Parapara took out the annual Surf to Peak award back in December.
Captain Brad Shields was named Team Man, for his contribution to the men’s team environment and uniting the club. The Best and Fairest award went to Brayden Iose, which is voted by his team mates on a 3-2-1 basis after each match. Ruben Love, Billy Proctor and Jordie Barrett all tied for second.
Six Hurricanes Poua players received full-time Black Ferns contracts, with Hannah King and Monica Tagoai joining Ayesha Leti-I’iga, Joanah Ngan-Woo, Layla Sae and Iritana Hohaia in the squad for 2024/25.
The Hurricanes Development programme continues to bear fruit with 11 players selected in the NZU20 side and one in the French side.
Hurricanes Award Winners (bold indicates winner)
Hurricanes Members Player of the Year
Peter Lakai
Billy Proctor
TJ Perenara
Surf to Peak Champion – Kemara Hauiti-Parapara
Hunters Award
Veveni Lasaqa
Daniel Sinkinson
Aidan Morgan
Team Man
Brad Shields
Jordie Barrett
James O’Reilly
Rookie of the Year
Jordi Viljoen
Raymond Tuputupu
Siale Lauaki
Best & Fairest 3-2-1
Brayden Iose
Ruben Love
Billy Proctor
Jordie Barrett
Most Improved Player
Pasilio Tosi
Josh Moorby
Brayden Iose
Hurricanes U20 Player of the Year
Mosese Bason
Stanley Solomon
Joshua Smith
Hurricanes Poua Player of the Year
Layla Sae
Iritana Hohaia
Hannha King
Hurricanes Men’s Player of the Year
Billy Proctor
Peter Lakai
Xavier Numia
National Representatives:
Black Ferns: Joanah Ngan-Woo, Ayesha Leti-I’iga, Iritana Hohaia, Hannah King, Monica Tagoai, Layla Sae
New Zealand Under 20: Tom Allen, Jeremiah Avei-Collins, Vernon Bason, Mosese Bason, Sam Coles, Konradd Newland, Tofuka Paongo, Stanley Solomon, Logan Wallace, Joshua Smith, Senio Sanele
France Under 20: Patrick Tuifua