Nonu scoops Kiwis' top award
The All Blacks swept the major awards at Friday's ceremony, following their historic back-to-back World Cup triumph in the United Kingdom last month.
The World Champions have been crowned the Team of the Year for the fifth year in a row.
All Black centurion Ma'a Nonu is this year's winner of the Kelvin R. Tremain Player of the Year award after an outstanding final year in the black jersey.
Nonu was a huge presence from start to finish this season.
Always dangerous on attack, he scored five Super Rugby tries, an incredible double against Australia to secure the Bledisloe Cup in Auckland and a phenomenal try in the World Cup Final.
Now playing in France, Nonu said in a video message: "I've really been humbled and grateful to be part of the All Blacks and representing my country."
After thanking coaches and players, he had a special word for fans.
"Very grateful that you guys always supported me over the years and I thank you very much."
All Black coach Steve Hansen was also named Coach of the Year for the fourth successive year.
Under his guidance, the All Blacks became the first team to win the World Cup for a third time and the first to win back-to-back World Cups.
The team also enjoyed a clean sweep against England, retained the Bledisloe Cup for the 13th year in a row, and lost just one match to Australia in 2015.
Their success was also recognised by their international peers last month when they were named World Rugby Team of the Year.
New Zealand Rugby Chairman Brent Impey told the audience the game was in good heart with registered player numbers topping 150,000 for the second successive year.
"We thank the parents, the coaches, and the many other volunteers who put in countless hours at practice, on sidelines, in clubs, nurturing the game, and fuelling the ambitions of young players. You all can take credit for the achievements we celebrate," he said.
The awards also honour those who make a significant difference to the game off the field, with Canterbury stalwart and former NZR Chairman Mike Eagle awarded the 2015 Salver – which recognises an outstanding contribution to the game.
Eagle served on the NZR Board for 12 years, four as Chairman until his retirement in 2014. It was a time of considerable challenge and opportunity for the game with the loss of World Cup 2003 co-hosting rights, the British and Irish Lions Tour in 2005 and World Cup 2011. He also undertook significant roles with Canterbury in the 1990s with the development of the professional game and establishment of the Crusaders.
The year 2015 was an outstanding period for Highlanders flyhalf Lima Sopoaga, who also earned his first All Blacks cap this year. His accurate kicking and shrewd ball distribution played a critical role in helping steer his team to their first ever Super Rugby title. He was the season's top points scorer and was deservedly honoured as the Super Rugby Player of the Year.
This year's World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year Nehe Milner-Skudder (Ngati Porou/Tapuika) displayed plenty of stunning footwork in his debut year as an All Black, dotting down eight times. His crowd-pleasing form saw him named the Tom French Memorial Maori Player of the Year.
The 2015 award winners
New Zealand Rugby Age Grade Player of the Year
Akira Ioane (Auckland)
Charles Monro Rugby Volunteers of the Year
Tania Karaitiana and Vio Ugone (Wellington)
New Zealand Rugby Referee of the Year
Glen Jackson (Bay of Plenty)
Pink Batts Heartland Championship Player of the Year
Lindsay Horrocks (Wanganui)
New Zealand Rugby Women's Sevens Player of the Year
Tyla Nathan-Wong (Auckland)
Richard Crawshaw Memorial All Blacks Sevens Player of the Year
Scott Curry (Bay of Plenty)
Fans' Try of the Year
Samu Kubunavanua (Wanganui)
NPC Player of the Year
George Moala (Auckland)
Super Rugby Player of the Year
Lima Sopoaga (Highlanders)
Tom French Memorial Maori Player of the Year)
Nehe Milner-Skudder (Ngati Porou/Tapuika)
New Zealand Rugby Women's Player of the Year
Kendra Cocksedge (Canterbury)
Outstanding Contribution to New Zealand Rugby
Mike Eagle (Canterbury)
New Zealand Rugby Coach of the Year
Steve Hansen (All Blacks)
Team of the Year
All Blacks
Kelvin R Tremain Player of the Year
Ma'a Nonu (Wellington, Hurricanes and All Blacks)
