Ardie Savea nominated for All Blacks Player of the Year

The tireless No.8 - along with Jordie and Scott Barrett as well as veteran scrumhalf Smith - will feature in the 2023 ASB Rugby Awards on 14 December.

Savea took over the captaincy from the incumbent Sam Cane after the latter was shown a red card in the Rugby World Cup final against rivals South Africa. Meanwhile, 34-year-old Smith bid farewell to the All Black jersey after the final, where he was their most capped backline player.

Others who are in line for accolades include the elusive Mark Talea, who was nominated for the Super Rugby Pacific Player of the Year alongside Scott Barrett and Damian McKenzie.

Referee Ben O'Keefe - who was in charge of the World Cupp semi-final between the Springboks and England - was nominated as the New Zealand Rugby Referee of the Year.

"Congratulations to all those nominated for awards, it is a reflection on the hard work and tenacity shown across all levels of the game both on and off the field," said New Zealand Rugby CEO Mark Robinson.

"We've had another bumper year of rugby so it's fantastic to be able to recognise the teams and individuals that have contributed to that."

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