Southern captain Harry Taylor and Alhambra-Union captain Zoe Whatarau scooped the major prizes at the metropolitan club rugby awards evening at the Green Island Rugby Football Club last night.
Taylor was named men’s club player of the year.
The industrious loose forward was seldom more than a handful of metres from the ball.
His work rate and inspirational leadership made him an obvious choice.
He is also a quality link man, often popping up in the chain to make that crucial pass.
His defence and ability to get over the ball are all top drawer as well.
His form this season saw him receive a much-deserved call-up for the Otago team.
The one down side of his promotion was he missed the club final in which Southern beat Dunedin 30-20 to defend their crown.
She is a hardworking loosie but her value extends well beyond tackling and hitting the ball up.
She is the club president and works full-time as the women’s development officer for the Otago Rugby Football Union.
She also plays for the Otago Spirit and is a young mother.
In the other awards, Alhambra-Union No 8 Bella Rewiri-Wharerau was named women’s breakthrough player of the year while the Ben Smith Medal for emerging player of the year went to Taieri midfielder Josh Whaanga.
Green Island’s Finn Hurley scored the most points (105) and University winger Jeremiah Asi pick up the award for the most tries (12) in the men’s competition.
Fraser Hannon was named referee of the year and the club champion of the year award went to Otago Rugby Referees Association’s Matthew Aiken.
Dunedin pair Aiden Lloyd and Jamie Mowat brought up 100 games for the Sharks during the season and Southern midfielder Paul Tupa’i, who started his career with Pirates, played his 150 senior game.
