All Blacks loose forward Jerome Kaino has been named New Zealand player of the year at the Steinlager Rugby Awards.

Rugbyheaven

The awards night also celebrated the remarkable achievements of Jock Hobbs and the Rugby World Cup- winning All Blacks.

Kaino pipped All Blacks team mates Richie McCaw and Ma’a Nonu to win the Kelvin R Tremain Memorial Player of the Year award, which was presented by Pam Tremain to Jerome’s brother Kaino Kaino on his behalf.

The award was one of 13 presented at the New Zealand Rugby Union’s annual premier awards event at the Langham Hotel in Auckland.

Kaino’s relentless work rate and ball skills made him almost irreplaceable and he played all but 55 seconds of Rugby World Cup 2011.  Kaino was also nominated for the IRB player of the year.

The 2011 Super Rugby player of the year award went to Crusaders and All Blacks loosehead prop Wyatt Crockett.

The world champion All Blacks emerged as the 2011 team of the year, edging out the ITM Cup-winning Canterbury team, Super Rugby finalists, the Crusaders; and the World Series-winning New Zealand sevens team.

Auckland and Black Ferns forward Fiao’o Fa’amausili took out the women’s player of the year award reflecting her status as one of the leading hookers in the women’s game on the international stage.

All Blacks coach Graham Henry won the 2011 New Zealand rugby coach of the year. Henry retired from the job as one of the most successful coaches of all time, guiding the All Blacks to an 85 per cent winning record – a remarkable 88 victories from 103 tests, during his eight years.

The full list of winners at the 2011 Steinlager Rugby Awards is as follows:

NZRU Age Grade Player of the Year

•  Sam Cane (Bay of Plenty, New Zealand Under 20)

Richard Crawshaw Memorial Sevens Player of the Year

•  Tim Mikkelson (Waikato, New Zealand Sevens)

NZRU Referee of the Year

•  Bryce Lawrence

NZRU Women’s Player of the Year

•  Fiao’o Fa’amausili (Auckland, Black Ferns)

Charles Monro Rugby Volunteer of the Year

•  Andy MacDonald (Canterbury)

Investec Super Rugby Player of the Year

•  Wyatt Crockett (Canterbury, Crusaders, All Blacks)

Tom French Memorial Maori Player of the Year

•  Piri Weepu – Whakatohea (Wellington, Hurricanes, All Blacks)

Heartland Championship Player of the Year

•  Jon Smyth (Wanganui, Heartland XV)

ITM Cup Player of the Year

•  Aaron Cruden (Manawatu)

Adidas Team of the Year

•  All Blacks

NZRU Coach of the Year

•  Graham Henry (All Blacks)

Steinlager Salver for an Outstanding Contribution to New Zealand Rugby

•  Jock Hobbs

Kelvin R Tremain Memorial Player of the Year

• Jerome Kaino (Auckland, Blues, All Blacks)