2026 Club Rugby Awards: Celebrating the Season's Finest
The Club Rugby Awards for 2026 honor exceptional players, teams, and memorable moments from the season.
The rugby season of 2026 has wrapped up, providing an exciting mix of sensational performances and unforgettable moments as the annual Club Rugby Awards celebrate the sport’s standout achievements.
Team Triumph
This year’s prestigious honor of Club Team of the Year goes to Petone Premier 2. New coaching, fresh talent, and a strong team bond enabled them to enjoy an unbeaten season. They not only captured the Harper Lock Shield but also the Ed Chaney trophy, showcasing dominance seldom seen in lower-tier teams. Special recognition also goes to the dedicated Petone Women’s team for their notable accomplishments.
Shining Individual Stars
Men's Player of the Year: Rupeni Raviyawa, who arrived from Feilding High School, made an immediate impact, leading the HOBM to garner the National Club Sevens title during Waitangi weekend. His versatility across the loose trio, particularly his prowess as No. 8, made him formidable. However, a red card in the playoffs remains a blemish on an otherwise stellar season.
Most Valuable Men's Player: Jacob Waikari-Jones stepped up significantly when he took the #10 jersey for Petone, transforming their game. Referring to him as “the straw that stirs the drink” succinctly captures his effect; his influence was vital as Petone triumphed in the Jubilee Cup.
Women's Player of the Year: Anastasia Kerr, yet another St Mary's school talent, excelled at center for Petone, seamlessly transitioning to contribute excellently in wing play for the Pride. Her performance continues the impressive legacy of young female athletes from St Mary’s.
Women’s Most Valuable Player: Keiana Roffey of Poneke made a significant mark early in the season, propelling her team into top tier standings. However, her later commitments with the Poua curtailed her participation, but her initial impact cannot be overlooked.
Outstanding Newcomers
Rookie Forward: Consistently impressive, Rupeni Raviyawa also earns accolades as Rookie Forward for his undeniable presence on the field.
Rookie Back: William Davis surprised many by quickly becoming a key player on the wing for Petone's Premier squad in his debut season, celebrating a Jubilee Cup victory in his first year.
Emerging Talents
Men’s Next Big Thing: Archie Schrader has consistently raised expectations since joining the Petone setup, demonstrating remarkable skills, particularly in breakdown situations.
Women’s Next Big Thing: Roffey’s potential to rise through the ranks remains high, especially with her adaptability and continued improvement in scrummaging skills.
Match Highlights
The Club Match of the Season showcased a thrilling playoff; the Jubilee Cup semi-final between Upper Hutt and Petone kept spectators on the edge of their seats. An electric atmosphere, with fans densely populated around the field, witnessed Petone battle back from two scores down, aided by Waikari-Jones’s stellar performance.
Other notable match-ups included the South Canterbury final in July, which extended into 104 minutes, culminating in Harlequins securing victory over Temuka during golden point extra time.
Youth Recognition
College Player of the Year: Fletcher Cooper's exceptional skills guided Silverstream to new heights, winning both the Wellington title and a Hurricanes crown, while also earning a spot in the New Zealand Schools team.
College Most Valuable Player: Ryder Thompson demonstrated consistent excellence for Silverstream, proving to be essential in their campaign.
A riveting matchup between Silverstream and New Plymouth BHS saw victory claimed in the final moments, with standout performances from the players involved.
Memorable Moments
Throughout the season, fans were treated to stunning tries, with highlights including long-range efforts by Shohn Hunt and Jacob Kennedy, showcasing remarkable skills.
Milestones were reached too, with several players celebrating their 100th, 150th, and even 200th matches, reaffirming their longevity and dedication to the game.
Finally, the club's commitment to fostering a respectful environment for all participants, including referees and volunteers, remains an essential focus moving forward.
The 2026 Club Rugby Awards not only commemorate outstanding talent and achievements this past season but also reinforce the community spirit that embodies rugby at all levels.
