2015 Team Awards

Tasman Players celebrate end of season Awards night

(Photo left to right) Claire Meredyth, Tony Terrill CEO of Mondo Travel, Robbie Malneek

Following the Taranaki match the team regrouped in Nelson for the annual Player Awards evening, hosted by Murray Leaning and Joe Wheeler on Friday night.

Winner of the Makoman of the Year, as voted on by his fellow players, was our first Centurion, fullback Robbie Malneek. Robbie was presented his Air France tickets for two to Paris by Mondo Travel CEO Tony Terrill. We wish Robbie and partner Claire a fabulous time post-season.

Joe Wheeler

The Makos Player of the Year is Joe Wheeler, for his outstanding on-field performances throughout the season. The big lock had a stand-out season bringing experience, aggression and valuable leadership to the Tasman side.

Liam Squire

Number 8 Liam Squire was named the Defender of the Year, an award given to the player who made the highest percentage of effective tackles and dominant tackles.

Siua Halanukonuka & Tony Dowd

Siua Halanukonuka received the inaugural MakoXcell™ Award for "a player that displays outstanding qualities in all aspects of the Makos environment". The award trophy is donated by Supreme Biotechnologies, makers of MakoXcell™ sports supplements, and was presented by CEO Tony Dowd.

Kieran Keane

Lastly, an announcement of Tasman RU Life Membership was made by CEO Tony Lewis to departing head coach Kieran Keane for his outstanding contribution to rugby in Marlborough and the greater Tasman region.

KK was presented with a Brian Baxter oil painting of the view from his Waikawa Bay home as a parting gift. For KK life membership was “a very special occasion and a huge surprise."