Community and domestic rugby celebrated in first round of New Zealand Rugby Award finalists
5 November 2025New Zealand Rugby has unveiled the first round of finalists for the 2025 New Zealand Rugby Awards, celebrating the achievements across community and domestic rugby.
The nominees represent players, clubs and volunteers from across the country.
Following the recent conclusion of an exciting 2025 provincial rugby season, Folau Fakatava (Hawke’s Bay), Sam Darry (Canterbury) and Josh Jacomb (Taranaki) have been nominated for the Duane Monkley Medal, while Holly Williams (North Harbour) Grace Houpapa-Barrett (Waikato) and Taufa Bason (Auckland) are up for the Fiao’o Faamausili Medal.
From the Heartland regions, Declan McCormack (Mid Canterbury) has been shortlisted for the Ian Kirkpatrick Medal once again, alongside Sam Walton-Sexton (Wairarapa Bush) and Keanu Taumata (Poverty Bay).
Rangataua Sports and Cultural Club (Bay of Plenty), Waimate Rugby Football Club (South Canterbury) and Hunterville Rugby Football Club (Whanganui) are named finalists of the Bunnings Warehouse Rugby Club of the Year award. The award recognises a club that has made an outstanding contribution to its members and local community. The winner will receive $5,000 in Bunnings products and materials to further improve their facilities.
Volunteers remain at the heart of New Zealand’s rugby community, and the Charles Monro Volunteer of the Year award recognises dedicated and committed individuals at the grassroots level. This year’s finalists are Jodi Taylor (Strath Taieri Rugby Club, Otago), Stacey Kobus (Cambridge Junior Rugby and Community Sports Club, Waikato) and Glen Devenie (Auckland Rugby Referees Association).
The Te Hāpai Community Impact Award recognises champions who have made a positive impact in areas such as participation, culture, diversity and inclusion, women and girls, mental health and wellbeing and player welfare. Cian Edward Byrne-Hansen (Manurewa Intermediate, Counties Manukau), Sosoli Talawadua (Whanganui Rugby) and Peter Hastings (Bay of Plenty Referees) have been named as this year’s finalists.
The New Zealand Rugby Awards show will be broadcast on Thursday 11 December, 7.30pm on Sky Sport 1.
The second group of award nominees will be announced on November 28.
2025 New Zealand Rugby Awards nominees are:
Bunnings Warehouse Rugby Club of the Year
Rangataua Sports and Cultural Club (Bay of Plenty)
Waimate Rugby Football Club (South Canterbury)
Hunterville Rugby Football Club (Whanganui)
Charles Monro Volunteer of the Year
Glen Devenie (Auckland Rugby Referee Association, Auckland)
Stacey Kobus (Cambridge Junior Rugby and Community Sports Club, Waikato)
Jodi Taylor (Strath Taieri Rugby Club, Otago)
Te Hāpai Community Impact Award
Cian Byrne-Hansen (Counties Manukau)
Sosoli Talawadua (Whanganui Rugby)
Peter Hastings (Bay of Plenty)
Duane Monkley Medal (Bunnings Warehouse NPC Player of the Year)
Sam Darry (Canterbury)
Josh Jacomb (Taranaki)
Folau Fakatava (Hawke’s Bay)
Fiao’o Faamausili Medal (Farah Palmer Cup presented by Bunnings Warehouse Player of the Year)
Holly Williams (North Harbour)
Taufa Bason (Auckland)
Grace Houpapa-Barrett (Waikato)
Ian Kirkpatrick Medal (Bunnings Warehouse Heartland Championship Player of the Year)
Keanu Taumata (Poverty Bay)
Declan McCormack (Mid Canterbury)
Sam Walton-Sexton (Wairarapa Bush)
Finalists for the following award categories will be announced on 28 November:
• DHL Super Rugby Pacific Player of the Year
• Sky Super Rugby Aupiki Player of the Year
• Richard Crawshaw Memorial All Blacks Sevens Player of the Year
• Black Ferns Sevens Player of the Year
• New Zealand Rugby Age Grade Player of the Year
• ASB National Men’s Coach of the Year
• ASB National Women’s Coach of the Year
• ASB New Zealand Coach of the Year
• New Zealand Rugby Referee of the Year
• adidas National Women's Team of the Year
• adidas National Men's Team of the Year
• adidas New Zealand Team of the Year
• Tom French Memorial Māori Player of the Year
• All Blacks Player of the Year
• Black Ferns Player of the Year
