BLUES SEAL SEVEN AT NZ RUGBY AWARDS

The Blues proudly celebrate a standout night with seven winners at the 2025 New Zealand Rugby Awards, headlined by a double triumph for rising star Braxton Sorensen-McGee.

Fresh from being named World Rugby’s Women’s 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year, the 19-year-old added Black Ferns Player of the Year and New Zealand Age Grade Player of the Year to cap a remarkable debut season in blue.

Her impact across both international and domestic rugby has firmly established her as one of the country’s brightest young talents.

Sorensen-McGee wasn’t the only Blues player to shine.

Portia Woodman-Wickliffe won Sky Super Rugby Aupiki Player of the Year, recognising her dominant campaign in Blues colours.

Her influence on and off the field was further acknowledged with the Tom French Memorial Māori Player of the Year award - the first of her illustrious career.

The Blues’ success extended into the Farah Palmer Cup, where Taufa Bason was awarded the Fiao’o Faamausili Medal as the competition’s standout player, highlighting her consistency and leadership throughout the season.

In the men’s game, Blues lock Sam Darry was a finalist for the Duane Monkley Medal after an exceptional NPC campaign after returning from a shoulder injury.

The night also recognised coaching excellence, with nib Blues head coach Willie Walker named ASB National Women’s Coach of the Year after guiding the side to a second successive Aupiki title.

Fittingly, his team was also crowned adidas National Women’s Team of the Year, rounding out a landmark year for women’s rugby at the Blues.