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Anthony Boric with former Italian model Natasha Stefanenko - Source: Reuters -
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The All Blacks end of year tour produced the sublime and the forgettable but who really stood out? tvnz.co.nz has at least some of the answers
The John Travolta I'm not finished yet award goes to: Mils Muliaina
This tour was indeed Muliaina's Pulp Fiction as he showed composure that has so often been the hallmark of his 82-Test career. Now at 29 years of age, he seems destined to become the first All Black in history to register 100 Test caps some time in 2011.
The tour MVP award goes to: Cory Jane
The tough as nuts Wellington fullback has converted into the prototype wing three-quarter. Everything he does he does with time, which is always the sure-fire sign of any great sportsman. Jane is surely here to stay. Honourable mention must go to the brilliant Sitiveni Sivivatu.
The I'm afraid of the dark award goes to: Liam Messam
What is it about the Black jersey that makes Liam Messam descend into a small shell? The Baa-baas match was surely made for his high-power, sevens game, yet he was strangely inconspicuous.
The villain of the tour award goes to: Daniel Carter
A crowd favourite from Tokyo to Milan, but when he clobbered Welshman Martin Roberts in a "brilliant" try-saving tackle, all 80,000 at the Millennium Stadium put him back in his place. Don't worry, Dan - you can't be popular everywhere, just ask some guy called Tiger.
The Mr Consistency award goes to: Richie McCaw
Captain Courageous fronted for the most minutes of anyone on tour with mana and dedication. The image of him pumping himself up before the All Blacks' beautiful win against the French in Marseille epitomised his desire for the cause. Quite simply the man and by the way - he thoroughly deserves that IRB gong, although we get the feeling he'll treasure this one more.
The top models' favourite award goes to: Anthony Boric
Anthony Boric may be well down the pecking order when it comes to starting the big Test matches as a lock-forward, but at least he can take one hell of an honour away from this tour. The 2m lock was apparently the girls' favourite All Black from Italy's top models and that takes some doing, especially when you consider Graham Henry was there.
The most improved award goes to: Kieran Read
The workhorse blindside flanker has suddenly turned into a dynamic number eight forward. He will surely be among the first five names pencilled into any significant All Blacks Test squad next year and he has most certainly left Rodney So'oialo in his wake.
The Bryan Habana envy award goes to: Joe Rokocoko
While Habana was wowing the boisterous Twickenham crowd with the pace and power that only he possesses, an All Black reject was looking on with mild contempt.
The I'm afraid of what 2010 will bring award goes to: Stephen Donald
The final individual award of the evening goes to the most maligned man of 2009. Stephen Donald spent more time on the bench than any other player on this tour and then when he finally did get his chance, against the Baabaas on Sunday, he bumbled along and produced a truly forgettable performance. The writing is surely on the wall next year - stay tuned.
The best Test award goes to: Marseille (hands down)
The worst Test award goes to: Milan (and that's a damn shame)
