Richie McCaw declared Player of the Year for the third time
Richie McCaw is blessed by yet another silverware medal to his wide-ranging collection of trophies, when he was awarded by the title of Sportsman of the Year of New Zealand today.
The All Black superstar and New Zealand’s favourite was chosen for the award along with Ryan Nelsen the All Whites soccer captain, Jossi Wells the free skier and Benji Marshall the rugby league star.
Last year Richie McCaw was named as the IRB Rugby Player of the Year and this year he is already been named for Sportsman of the Year for the third time in his career, prior to IRB Rugby awards.
The All Black flanker led his team in 2010 into Tri Nations and won a clean sweep. His captaincy and performance resulted into the victory of Bledisloe Cup. In 2010 All Blacks played 14 matches and won 13 out of them which include the popular Grand Slam.
New Zealand Rugby Union CEO Steve Tew said, “Richie and the All Blacks had an outstanding year in 2010 and given the calibre of the other nominees, he can be very proud of this achievement.”
Congratulating the All Black skipper Tew said, “Our congratulations go to him and to all the nominees from other sports who received awards tonight. We have an impressive depth of sporting talent in this country and that is certainly something for New Zealanders
to celebrate.”
Richie McCaw has also been named as NPC Division Player of the Year three times since his debut and this is the fourth time he is being named as Sportsman of the year, including the Under 21 Player of the Year award.
Other than this prestigious award, the evening was highlighted with other important acknowledgments. Michael Jones, the former New Zealand flanker who has earned 55 caps for All Blacks and is also an ambassador for Rugby World Cup this year was introduced
to the New Zealand’s Sports Hall of Fame.
Jock Hobbs, who recently retired as a chairman of New Zealand Rugby Union was awarded with SPARC Leadership Award. He had also captained his national team in four test matches. In his absence, his award was collected by Penny and Emily, his daughters. The
50 year old All Black legend is presently enduring a cancer treatment.
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