Yarrows Taranaki Bulls lock and captain Mitch Brown and Port Taranaki Whio halfback Iritana Hohaia claimed the top prizes at the Taranaki Rugby Amber and Black Rugby Awards at the Star Gym last night.

Brown, who claimed several awards on the night, won the overall Bulls Player of the Year Award, while Hohaia picked up the Whio Player of the Year.

A total of 27 awards were handed out across the community and high-performance games, in front of sponsors, stakeholders, players and volunteers.

Taranaki Rugby Chairman Lindsay Thomson opened the evening and acknowledged the support from sponsors and the achievements Taranaki players have made. He also recognised the challenge Yarrow Stadium presents to the Union.

Taranaki Rugby interim Chief Executive Paul Veric said the night was an opportunity to celebrate the successes, milestones and achievements of the game in Taranaki.

“While I am new to the TRFU environment, it was so heartening to see sponsors, stakeholders, staff and players united in supporting and recognising each other’s achievements. Taranaki is a proud rugby community and I was extremely proud to be associated with everything great about Taranaki rugby last night.”

Adding to the main award, Brown also claimed the Forward of the Year and Players Player awards.

Jayson Potroz claimed the CMK men’s sevens Player of the Year and Back of the Year.

Waisake Naholo was presented with a picture frame for his contribution to Taranaki Rugby, as he has picked up a deal with London Irish and will leave at the end of the season. He also claimed the Personality Award. 

Victoria McCullough claimed the Whio Forward of the Year and Elle Johns won Back of the Year.

In the community game, Spotswood United coach Brent Perrett picked up the Outstanding Contribution to Rugby Award, Kris Campbell Club Coach of the Year, New Plymouth Old Boys stalwart Sue Mitchell picked up Volunteer of the Year and Spotswood United’s Warwick Lahmert won the Club Rugby Player of the Year.

2019 Amber and Black Awards:

CMK Club Player of the Year: Warwick Lahmert (Spotswood United)

CMK Club Coach of the Year: Kris Campbell (Hawera Hight School)

CMK Club Rugby Individual Top Try Scorer: Liam Blyde (Clifton)

Outstanding Contribution to Rugby: Brent Perrett (Spotswood United)

Roger Urbahn Memorial Trophy: Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens (FDMC)

CMK Taranaki U19 Most Promising Player: Josh Lord

CMK Taranaki U19 Player of the Year: Milliennium Sanerivi

Taranaki Hokioi Development Most Promising Player of the Year: Isaac Ratumaitavuki-Kneepekens

Taranaki Hokioi Development Player of the Year: Johnny Faletagoai-Malese

Port Taranaki Women’s Sevens Player of the Year: Tiana Davison

CMK Taranaki Men’s Sevens Player of the Year: Jayson Potroz

Port Taranaki Whio Forward of the Year: Victoria McCullough

Port Taranaki Whio Back of the Year: Elle Johns

Port Taranaki Whio Sportswomen of the Year: Sharee Brown

Port Taranaki Whio Most Promising Player of the Year: Kaya-Rose Kahui

Port Taranaki Whio Player of the Year: Iritana Hohaia

Taranaki Rugby Personality of the Year: Waisake Naholo

Peter Crawford Trophy for Dedication of Services: Cole Brown

Yarrows Taranaki Bulls Top Try Scorer: TBC

Yarrows Taranaki Bulls Top Points Scorer: Daniel Waite

Yarrows Taranaki Bulls Sportsman Trophy Award (players player): Mitch Brown

Yarrows Taranaki Bulls Most Promising Player of the Year: Tupou Vaa’i

Yarrows Taranaki Bulls Back of the Year: Jayson Potroz

Yarrows Taranaki Bulls Forward of the Year: Mitch Brown

Yarrows Taranaki Bulls Try of the Year: Lachlan Boshier v Tasman

Yarrows Taranaki Bulls Player of the Year: Mitch Brown

Article added: Thursday 10 October 2019