By Stu Piddington

South Canterbury rugby halfback Willie Wright has been stunned to learn to learn he is a finalist for New Zealand's Heartland player of the year.

Wright said the call that he had be selected came out-of-the-blue.

"I was pretty shocked to be honest but it is an honour."

JOHN BISSET/STUFF

South Canterbury halfback Willie Wright fires out a pass in a Heartland match against Mid Canterbury.

Wright said it would be pretty cool on the night for himself and his wife, Jess, to be rubbing shoulders with some of New Zealand's best players in Auckland.

"I am looking forward to it. Dress code was either black tie or No.1s and I am wearing my South Canterbury No.1s as that is who I am proud to represent."

The 26-year-old said he had no expectations of going any further because to the calibre of the two other nominees.

Wright is up against Thames Valley co-captain Brett Ranga and Wanganui midfielder Craig Clare.

It caps off a fine season for Wright who was an integral part of South Canterbury's run to the Heartland Championship final and was also a member of the successful New Zealand Heartland XV.

South Canterbury rugby chief executive Craig Calder was delighted for Wright.

"It is great to see Willie acknowledged in this way. He played a big part in the success of the South Canterbury side and was the starting halfback for the NZ Heartland team in both games."

Ranga is however likely to have the inside running to grab the silverware after leading the Swamp Foxes to their first Meads Cup victory, beating South Canterbury in the final in Timaru.

The Heartland winner will be announced as part of the 2018 Rugby Awards, being held at Auckland's Sky City Convention Centre on December 13. The judging panel included Graham Mourie, Matt Sexton, Mike Eagle, Dr Farah Palmer and Tony Johnson.

New Zealand Rugby revealed the nominations which includes the introduction of modified awards to recognise teams representing New Zealand and those representing Super Rugby Clubs or provincial unions.

Back-to-back Rugby World Cup Sevens champions and Commonwealth Games Gold medallists the Black Ferns Sevens and the All Blacks Sevens, and the world number one ranked All Blacks, are nominated for the New Zealand team of the year while the Crusaders, Auckland and Thames Valley are shortlisted for a new national team of the year award, New Zealand Rugby announced today.

Black Ferns halfback Kendra Cocksedge, and All Blacks Richie Mo'unga, Brodie Retallick and Codie Taylor have all been nominated for the Kelvin R Tremain Memorial Player of the Year award. Two coaching categories are introduced to recognise the depth of coaching talent in New Zealand at a provincial, Super Rugby and national level, and two new team categories will reward the best of the teams representing New Zealand on the international stage, and best of teams in national and Super Rugby competitions.

FINALISTS

Fans' Try of the Year – Top Three Finalists: Kelly Brazier (Black Ferns Sevens), Chris Hala'ufia (St Peter's College), Richie Mo'unga (Crusaders).

New Zealand Rugby Referee of the Year: Glen Jackson (Bay of Plenty), Richard Kelly (Taranaki), Rebecca Mahoney (Wairarapa Bush).

Charles Monro Rugby Volunteer of the Year: Irene Eruera-Taiapa (Horowhenua Kapiti), Steve Webling (Taranaki), Kim Wheeler (King Country).

New Zealand Rugby Age Grade Player of the Year: Sam Darry (Canterbury), Tom Christie (Canterbury), Risaleaana Pouri-Lane (Tasman), Kaleb Trask (Bay of Plenty).

Heartland Championship Player of the Year: Craig Clare (Wanganui), Brett Ranga (Thames Valley), Willie Wright (South Canterbury).

Duane Monkley Medal: TJ Faiane (Auckland), Luke Romano (Canterbury), Fletcher Smith (Waikato).

Fiao'o Faamausili Medal: Kendra Cocksedge (Canterbury), Krysten Cottrell (Hawke's Bay), Jackie Patea-Fereti (Wellington).

National Coach of the Year: Alama Ieremia (Auckland), Kieran Kite (Canterbury Women), Scott Robertson (Crusaders).

New Zealand Coach of the Year: Allan Bunting (Black Ferns Sevens), Steve Hansen (All Blacks), Clark Laidlaw (All Blacks Sevens).

Super Rugby Player of the Year: Solomon Alaimalo (Chiefs), Richie Mo'unga (Crusaders), Matt Todd (Crusaders).

Tom French Memorial Māori Player of the Year: Sarah Goss (Ngāti Kahungunu), Rieko Ioane (Ngāpuhi / Te Whānau ā Apanui), Codie Taylor (Ngāti Raukawa / Muaūpoko).

Richard Crawshaw Memorial All Blacks Sevens Player of the Year: Scott Curry (Bay of Plenty), Vilimoni Koroi (Otago), Regan Ware (Bay of Plenty).

Black Ferns Sevens Player of the Year: Michaela Blyde (Bay of Plenty), Kelly Brazier (Bay of Plenty), Sarah Goss (Manawatu).

New Zealand Rugby Women's Player of the Year: Kendra Cocksedge (Canterbury), Aroha Savage (Counties Manukau), Selica Winiata (Manawatu).

Kelvin R Tremain Memorial Player of the Year: Kendra Cocksedge (Canterbury), Richie Mo'unga (Canterbury), Brodie Retallick (Hawke's Bay), Codie Taylor (Canterbury).

National Team of the Year: Auckland, Crusaders, Thames Valley.

New Zealand Team of the Year: All Blacks, All Blacks Sevens, Black Ferns Sevens.

Article added: Thursday 06 December 2018