Makos in Steinlager awards contention [Fairfax]
The Tasman Makos have received further recognition for their impressive efforts this season with both captain Shane Christie and coach Kieran Keane named as finalists for this year's New Zealand rugby awards.
Christie will contest the ITM Cup player of the year award with Manawatu fullback Nehe Milner-Skudder and Taranaki centre Seta Tamanivalu, while Keane's been named alongside Taranaki mentor Colin Cooper and the All Blacks' Steve Hansen for coach of the year.
Former Nelson Bays captain James Lash, who played for Buller this year, and ex-Tasman flanker Gary Redmond, now playing for Mid-Canterbury, are both in contention for Heartland Championship player of the year.
All Blacks captain Richie McCaw, lock Brodie Retallick and halfback Aaron Smith will contest the Kelvin R Tremain Memorial award for New Zealand Rugby player of the year.
After a successful season where they retained their No 1 world ranking for the fifth consecutive year the All Blacks dominated the nominations for the 2014 awards to be dished out on December 11.
The All Blacks were nominated for team of the year.
Under Hansen's guidance the All Blacks equalled the record of 17 consecutive victories by a major nation, secured a clean sweep in the home series against England, won the Bledisloe Cup for a 12th year in a row and a third successive Rugby Championship title and returned home undefeated from the northern tour.
Their success was recognised earlier this week when they were named world team of the year; Hansen coach of the year and Retallick player of the year.
The All Blacks were joined as nominees for team of the year by Auckland Storm, who picked up their seventh straight women's provincial championship title, and this year's ITM Cup championship and premiership winners, Manawatu and Taranaki.
Taranaki's first ITM Cup premiership title, coupled with the New Zealand Maori's successful two-match tour of Japan saw the coach of both teams, Colin Cooper, receive a nod for coach of the year.
Jerome Kaino's formidable return to top level rugby along with standout Crusaders wing Nemani Nadolo, and Chiefs lock Retallick saw the trio make the final for Super Rugby player of the year.
The New Zealand women's sevens team secured their second successive world series title this year, earning regular team members Sarah Goss, Kayla McAlister and Tyla Nathan-Wong nominations for women's sevens player of the year.
