Kiwis prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Kiwi Ferns veteran Honey Hireme have reigned supreme at the 2018 New Zealand Rugby League Annual Awards.
Honey Hireme. Photo: Photosport
37-year-old Hireme was named the Kiwi Ferns Player of the Year for a third time, an award she first won in 2012.
Waerea-Hargreaves had one of his best seasons in the black and white jersey, accumulating over 130 run metres for all four end-of-season Test matches in England, and proved crucial in the Kiwis historic 26-24 win over Australia, a memory Hargreaves cherishes the most.
The Kiwis coach Michael Maguire praised his prop's leadership and playing abilities.
"As a senior player within the Kiwis camp, Jared put a lot of time into discussing the growth of the Kiwi team. He has immense passion towards where he wants to see the black and white jersey and this is a real quality of his.
"Off the back of his brilliant season in club land, he was in a good position to play his best footy for the Kiwis and that's exactly what he did. His experience has been invaluable in mentoring younger players to step up into international rugby league," Maguire said.
The powerhouse prop capped off his 2018 NRL season with his second NRL premiership win, a title he was able to share with Kiwis teammate Joseph Manu (finalist for Kiwis Rookie of the Year).
In one of the biggest years to date for women's rugby league, Honey Hireme was an easy choice.
As co-captain of the Kiwi Ferns alongside veteran teammate Laura Mariu, she crossed the ditch to play for the St George Illawarra Dragons in the inaugural NRL Women's Premiership, an experience she says has benefited her game.
"The addition of this year's NRL competition was great for the women's game. The fact that we could all come together in Kiwi Ferns camp following four weeks of competing in the elite space, was hugely beneficial when it came to pulling on the black and white jersey against the Jillaroos.
"The more we can play at the top level, the better our game gets. I'm grateful for receiving this award but would also like to recognise the efforts of the other finalists (Kimiora Nati and Aieshaleigh Smalley) and our Kiwi Ferns teammates, my family for their undying support, management and coaching staff," Hireme said.
The Kiwis Rookie of the Year award was picked up by Ken Maumalo, a player who earnt his Kiwis call-up in June at Mile High Stadium before going on to play in all five 2018 Kiwis Test matches, scoring four tries. His impressive season with the Warriors and Kiwis attracted high praises from coach Michael Maguire and rightfully so, given he amassed 15 tackle breaks and 801 run metres over the three Tests he played against England.
"Both Ken and Jared are two players that are hungry for the Kiwis jersey to reach new heights and that's pleasing.
"It has been really enjoyable coaching Ken, the more he plays, the more he grows so I look forward to seeing what he does next year," Maguire said.
Joining Maumalo in playing her first Test at international level, Onjeurlina Leiataua has been rewarded for her break out season with the Warriors women's team, and the stellar part she played in the Kiwi Ferns narrow loss against the Jillaroos at Mt Smart Stadium this year. These achievements helped her win Kiwi Ferns Rookie of the Year.
Promising youngster, Isaiah Papali'i wins Junior Player of the Year for the second consecutive year, having been awarded Warriors Rookie of the Year and receiving his Kiwis debut in England after leading the Junior Kiwis in their match-up against the Junior Kangaroos in October.
New Zealand Rugby League wishes to congratulate the award winners from all 13 categories below:
Pirtek Female Volunteer - Karen Gibbons Karen Gibbons (Akarana, Auckland)
Pirtek Male Volunteer - Lawrence Erihe (Mid Central, Manawatu)
Grassroots Club of the Year - South Pacific Raiders (Southern, Otago)
Domestic Coach of the Year - Keith Hanley (Akarana, Auckland)
Match Official of the Year - Paki Parkinson (Upper Central, Bay of Plenty)
NZ 16s Player of the Year - Sione Moala (Counties Manukau, Auckland)
NZ 18s Player of the Year - Tyler Slade (NZ Warriors)
Domestic Premier Player of the Year - Francis Leger (Akarana, Auckland)
Kiwi Fern Rookie of the Year - Onjeurlina Leiataua (NZ Warriors)
Kiwis Rookie of the Year - Ken Maumalo (NZ Warriors)
Kiwis Fern Player of the Year - Honey Hireme (St George Illawarra Dragons)
Kiwis Player of the Year - Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (Sydney Roosters)