The Black Ferns Sevens capped an extraordinary year with a clean sweep at the 2024 New Zealand Rugby Awards. The 2024 Paris Olympic Gold medalists were crowned New Zealand Team of the Year, after being coached to glory by Cory Sweeney. Sweeney claimed his record-equalling fifth Coach of the Year title, matching that of the legendary Sir Steve Hansen.
At just 20, Black Ferns Sevens star Jorja Miller became the youngest woman and second-youngest ever player (after Jonah Lomu) to claim the prestigious Kelvin R Tremain Memorial Player of the Year award. Her stellar performances for the Olympic Gold medal-winning Black Ferns Sevens not only solidified her as a standout player for her nation, but also added another milestone to her historic year. Earlier, she became New Zealand’s youngest female Olympic gold medallist at the Paris 2024 Games, cementing her status as a generational talent.
The Blues were also in the spotlight, with both their men’s and women’s teams taking home National Team of the Year awards. Individual accolades went to All Blacks back row Hoskins Sotutu (Super Rugby Pacific Player of the Year) and Black Ferns wing Katelyn Vahaakolo (Super Rugby Aupiki Player of the Year). Vern Cotter added to the Blues’ haul with the Men’s Coach of the Year award.
On the All Blacks front, rising star Wallace Sititi, already the World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year, was honoured as All Blacks Player of the Year, while Tyrel Lomax secured the Tom French Memorial Māori Player of the Year title.
Among other awardees, Dylan Collier, captain of the All Blacks Sevens, earned the Richard Crawshaw Memorial All Blacks Sevens Player of the Year. The Black Ferns also saw individual brilliance recognized, with Kaipo Olsen-Baker named Black Ferns Player of the Year, and Hollyrae Mete taking home the Fiao’o Fa’amausili Medal for her standout provincial performance for the Matawatū Cyclones.
