Ardie Savea Wins All Blacks Player of the Year at ASB Awards

Hurricanes 2021 captain Ardie Savea has been named All Blacks Player of the Year at the 2022 ASB New Zealand Rugby Awards for the second year in a row.  

After another bumper international season, the All Blacks Player of the Year Award included four strong nominees, with Savea nominated alongside Hurricanes teammate and fullback Jordie Barrett, lock Sam Whitelock and hooker Samisoni Taukei'aho. Savea has previously won this award in 2019 and 2021. 

DHL Super Rugby Pacific Player of the Year included a second nomination for Savea, alongside Blues first-five-eighth Stephen Perofeta and Crusaders fullback Will Jordan, with Will Jordan taking out the win. 

Savea’s NPC team, the Wellington Lions, took out adidas National Men’s Team of the Year after a stellar winning streak which saw the team claim the Ranfurly Shield and the Bunnings Warehouse NPC title - their first title-win since 2000.  

Hurricanes rookie and Wellington Lions teammate Peter Lakai has also been named Age Grade Player of the Year. 

The ASB Rugby Awards are an opportunity to acknowledge all those involved in the game and the achievements of our players, referees, and volunteers in 2022, NZR CEO Mark Robinson said. 

Robinson said the awards were about “celebrating the contributions and excellence across our rugby community and recognising what’s been a huge and exciting year for rugby." 

ASB New Zealand Rugby Awards at a glance: 

Nominees: 
Peter Lakai - Duane Monkley Medal  
Joanah Ngan-Woo – Super Rugby Aupiki Player of the Year 
Ardie Savea – DHL Super Rugby Pacific Player of the Year 
TJ Perenara – Māori Player of the Year   

Winners: 
Peter Lakai – Age Grade Player of the Year 
Ardie Savea – All Blacks Player of the Year