It really has been the Chiefs' year; after stumbling at the first hurdle to the Highlanders they won nine consecutive games to become the dominant side of not only in the NZ Conference but the competition as a whole.
Although the ultimate prize will remain in Hamilton for the next year, I feel there are a few other awards that need to be given out. With the London Olympics now in full swing it seems only appropriate to award a Gold, Silver and Bronze for each category.
Game of the year
Gold - Highlanders vs Crusaders (Rnd 2) - The criteria for this award rested solely on excitement factor (how much did I find myself screaming at the TV), it really didn't get much more exciting than this game. The Highlanders winning 27-24 in the end, but after a major clock malfunction at Forsyth Barr, it almost ended in disaster for the southerners.
Silver - Blues vs Hurricanes (Rnd 5) - This one went down to the wire, an exciting finish with a try to clinch victory for the Hurricanes by 26-25.
Bronze - Blues vs Chiefs (Rnd 15) - Top of the NZ conference vs the bottom. The Chiefs should have won this game easily; however, the Blues put a up a considerable challenge. Although the Chiefs won 41-34, it was by far the game of the season for the Blues.
Coach of the year
Gold - Mark Hammett (Hurricanes) - The disaster of 2011 resulted in a mass player exodus for the Wellington franchise, with rumours of tense relationships between players being the resulting cause of this. Many people wrote the Hurricanes off completely for 2012, but with a strong base of young players and a few experienced All Blacks to work with, Hammett proved his critics wrong and the Hurricanes became a very real playoff contender towards the business end of the season.
Silver - Dave Rennie and Wayne Smith (Chiefs) - Turned the Chiefs side around to win a title, outstanding! Should have won Gold, but after the circumstances of 2011, Mark Hammett deserved it.
Bronze - Jamie Joseph (Highlanders) - Although 2012 became a duplicate of their 2011 campaign, ‘Mr Uncompromising' has restored some real pride in the Highlanders franchise with a noticeable improvement under his leadership. Long may it continue!
Player of the Year
Gold - Aaron Cruden (Chiefs) - The heir apparent to Dan Carter, this boy has an exciting future ahead of him. He has matured as a player and as a playmaker with real leadership abilities becoming noticeable. Now with a World Cup and a Super Rugby title under his belt, there appears to be no stopping him.
Silver - Will Genia (Reds) - With Genia on the field, anything is possible. Coming off the Reds victory in 2011, he continued his fantastic form and looked dangerous every time he put his hands on the ball. I fear he may be a little too valuable to the Wallabies however, and may break some All Black hearts in the process.
Bronze - Aaron Smith (Highlanders) - The student becomes the master. Smith usurped Jimmy Cowan for the starting spot in the number 9 jersey this season and has proven he was worthy of doing so. He will be a valuable asset to the Highlanders in the years to come.
Try of the year
Gold - Conrad Smith (Hurricanes) - The Hurricanes captains name was on the score sheet but it was young Beauden Barrett who did all the work, carving through the Blues defence in round 5 before offloading to his captain to clinch victory for the Hurricanes.
Silver - Will Genia (Reds) - A solo effort against the Chiefs, broke the line on the halfway line and there was no stopping him. Proving how dangerous he is with the ball in hand.
Bronze - Bryan Habana (Stormers) - It really wouldn't be a try scoring competition without Habana's name appearing. Scoring his 50th Super Rugby try against the Lions with a classic kick and chase before touching down in the corner.
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Tackle/Fend of the year
Gold - Motu Matu'u (Hurricanes) - The Gold medal really couldn't go to anyone else. If the score line the Hurricanes posted over the Melbourne Rebels (66-24) wasn't punishing enough, the replacement Hurricanes hooker made the pain even deeper for two very unlucky Rebels players (Mark Gerrard and Lachlan Mitchell), who both ended up in hospital. The sportsmanship he displayed after these tackles was also outstanding, after
each tackle making sure each player was still alive and even rolled them into the recovery position.
Silver - Robbie Fruean (Crusaders) - In the opening game of the season, Robbie Fruean dealt the largest fend I have ever seen in a game of rugby union. Making Piri Weepu seem like a rag doll as he sent him flying through the air before he crashed to the ground.
Bronze - Hosea Gear (Highlanders) - Proving he has much more to offer than simply being a ‘great finisher'. With the Crusaders hot on attack, Hosea Gear put in a massive tackle, reversing the momentum as it resulted in a turnover which send the red and blacks reeling back in defence.
What a season! This may spell the end of this year's Super Rugby, but never fear, the 2012 rugby calendar is still far from over, with the new Rugby Championship and ITM Cup still to come.