Following the recent announcement of nominees for the Steinlager Rugby Awards, nominees for the NZRU Women's Player of the Year and the Kelvin R. Tremain Memorial Player of the Year have been released today.

The NZRU Women's Player of the Year nominees are Kelly Brazier and Carla Hohepa, both of Otago, and Auckland's Victoria Heighway.

The nominees for the Kelvin R. Tremain Memorial Player of the Year are All Blacks captain Richie McCaw, his Canterbury teammate Dan Carter, and Taranaki's Andrew Hore.

The judges for the 2009 Steinlager Rugby Awards are former All Blacks captain and former NZRU President Andy Leslie, NZRU Board member and former All Blacks captain Graham Mourie, SKY Sport rugby commentator Grant Nisbett and former All Black and current NZRU General Manager Community and Provincial Union Rugby Brent Anderson.

The Steinlager Awards are being held this year on 17 December 2009, at the Sky City Convention Centre, Auckland. ******** The 2009 Steinlager Rugby Awards nominees

NZRU Age Grade Player of the Year Sam Cane (Bay of Plenty) Aaron Cruden (Manawatu) Zac Guildford (Hawke's Bay) Winston Stanley (Auckland)

Richard Crawshaw Memorial Sevens Player of the Year Carla Hohepa (Otago) Zar Lawrence (Bay of Plenty) Julian Savea (Wellington)

NZRU Women's Player of the Year Kelly Brazier Victoria Heighway Carla Hohepa

The Charles Monro Rugby Volunteer of the Year Blair Crawford (Otago) David Hickey (Auckland) Peter Te Tai (Southland)

Rebel Sport Super 14 Player of the Year Aled de Malmanche (Chiefs) Malili (Mils) Muliaina (Chiefs) Ma'a Nonu (Hurricanes)

Tom French Memorial Maori Player of the Year Zac Guildford (Hawke's Bay, Ngati Kahungunu) Cory Jane (Wellington, Ngati Kahungunu) Isaac Ross (Canterbury, Kai Tahu)

Heartland Championship Player of the Year Jon Dampney (Mid Canterbury) Sione Ngatu (Poverty Bay) Asaeli Tikoirotuma (Wanganui)

Air New Zealand Cup Player of the Year Josh Bekhuis (Southland) Mike Delany (Bay of Plenty) Zac Guildford (Hawke's Bay)

adidas Team of the Year Canterbury (Air New Zealand Cup) New Zealand Under 20 Wanganui (Heartland Championship)

New Zealand Rugby Coach of the Year Ian Foster (Chiefs) Guy Lennox (Wanganui) Rob Penney (Canterbury) Dave Rennie (New Zealand Under 20)

NZRU Referee of the Year Winner named on the night Kelvin R. Tremain Memorial Player of the Year Daniel Carter Andrew Hore Richie McCaw Steinlager Salver for an Outstanding Contribution to New Zealand Rugby Recipient named on the night