15 Dec 2017

Goss gets goosebumps as Black Ferns dominate awards

7:45 am on 15 December 2017

Sarah Goss feels all her sporting dreams have come true after being named Women's Player of the Year at the rugby awards in Auckland last night.

The World Cup winning Black Ferns capped an historic year by taking three of the top awards, including team of the year.

It is the first time the New Zealand women's side have won the country's top team award and adds to the World Rugby Team of the Year title they secured in Monaco earlier this month.

The Black Ferns captain Fiao'o Fa'amausili and coach Glenn Moore with the side's team of the year award.

The Black Ferns captain Fiao'o Fa'amausili and coach Glenn Moore with the side's team of the year award. Photo: Photosport

The Black Ferns Glenn Moore was named the Coach of the Year.

The All Black lock Sam Whitelock was named men's player of the year.

In receiving her award Goss said she got "goosebumps" simply thinking about what she has achieved.

New Zealand Rugby Women's Player of the Year award winner Sarah Goss.

New Zealand Rugby Women's Player of the Year award winner Sarah Goss. Photo: Photosport

"As a kid I watched the 2010 Black Ferns women's team win their world cup against England and I remember screaming at the TV with my mum through the night and ...(now) to be playing alongside some of those girls is really special," she said.

The Black Ferns Portia Woodman, who last month was named International player of the year, won the try of the year award and said the domination of the women at the awards showed "anyone who might be sceptical of women's rugby that women can play the game just as good as the guys."

Woodman said the try of the year award was special seeing she scored it during World Cup.

"I think it's pretty cool. The name of that move is 'the Lomu' because it's pretty much Jonah Lomu's side and you come off your wing and try and get under the posts and I finally nailed it."

Sam Whtielock won the Kelvin R Tremain Memorial Player of the Year award.

Sam Whtielock won the Kelvin R Tremain Memorial Player of the Year award. Photo: Photosport

Winning the men's player of the year capped a big year for Sam Whitelock who also captained the All Blacks for the first time, leading them against Wales on the end of year tour.

He also picked up Super Rugby player of the year after the Crusaders success.

"It's an amazing feeling. I have never gone out to try and win any individual awards but I am very happy that I have been recognised....my wife has been a massive influence this year. She has been outstanding in the way she has helped me and also looked after our young child."

-RNZ