Three former All Blacks crown their players of the year

The end of the 2024 international season is upon us and to farewell a titanic season, some of rugby's biggest pundits are hosting their own awards shows.

While the World Rugby Awards crowned Pieter-Steph du Toit the World Rugby men's 15s Player of the Year, competing against two of his fellow countrymen and Ireland captain Caelin Dorris, New Zealand's primary rugby show The Breakdown opted to go country by country with their awards show, focussing on the All Blacks first and foremost.

A mediocre season by All Blacks standards saw New Zealand players omitted from the Men's 15s Player of the Year Award nominees for just the fifth time since the award was introduced in 2001. The famous rugby nation did however earn not just a nomination but a win for Men's Breakthrough Player of the Year, with rookie loose forward Wallace Sititi claiming the honour. Sititi earned further praise from his native pundits.

The Breakdown panel comprised three former All Blacks Aaron Cruden, Angus Ta'avao and Jeff Wilson.

Aaron Cruden: "I've gone for Wallace Sititi, and I truly think, obviously it would be easy thinking it's his first year in the team and he's a little young but I just think this guy has been sensational.

"His rise, his elevation, the seamless transition he's made from Super Rugby level into Test match level has been outstanding for me and it's just the maturity that I'm seeing.

"I think he's only going to keep going from strength to strength and it seems like he has that in him to continue to elevate and continue to rise."

Angus Ta'avao: "I hear no lies, I think there's not much more that can be said. We've said so much about him on this show throughout the year. He'll be popping up later on my award list.

"You talk about maturity and a guy who's had to step into some pretty big shoes, size 14 and 15, Sam Whitelock and Brodie Retallick, that's Tupou Vaa'i.

"Seeing this kid when he first came in as a 20-year-old, debuting for the All Blacks, the growth he's had, and to own that jersey, keeping Patty Tuipulotu out.

"What he does defensively in the lineout, what he does offensively in the lineout, he's got great footwork, he's got a great skill set, physically, tackle-wise, he just ticks every single box you want as a lock but he also brings that X-factor.

"I feel like his growth in his game has been amazing but to see him as a leader within that Chiefs team and I'm sure, for years to come in that All Blacks jersey, I've got a lot of time for Tupou and proud of how far he's come."

Jeff Wilson: "He's had a great season, particularly at defensive lineout time but I've gone for Codie Taylor for me. I think you noticed significantly when he wasn't on the field.

"Asafo Aumua grew into the jersey, into the All Blacks reserve role, and then Codie started playing in the big games, and I go to the big games when I judge a player, Codie Taylor's engine, he was going deep into matches, he was back to his very, very best. Accuracy was high, our scrum was strong, so you have to put a lot of weight into that.

"We've mentioned players that have all been really impactful but for me, I'd like to think that Codie's in that conversation."

The panel also voted for the best players from New Zealand's Rugby Championship rivals and then grouped the entire northern hemisphere into one category to vote for the best players of the north as well.

Australia: One vote for Rob Valetini and two votes for Tom Wright

South Africa: One vote each for Ox Nché, Cheslin Kolbe and Eben Etzebeth

Argentina: Two votes for Julián Montoya and one for Joaquín Oviedo

Northern Hemisphere: One vote each for Jamison Gibson-Park, Antoine Dupont and Thomas Ramos