Photo / NZMEHe said the All Blacks should have been awarded two penalty tries and criticised the performance of referee Gert Bezuidenhout. Following last week’s New Zealand Rugby Awards, Kirkpatrick handed the medal which bears his name to Poverty Bay co-captain Keanu Taumata, for his efforts in Heartland rugby. The Ian Kirkpatrick medal for Heartland player of the year is awarded annually. Ian Kirkpatrick hands the medal which bears his name to Poverty Bay co-captain Keanu Taumata, for his efforts in Heartland rugby. “I want to thank you, Kirky, thank you very much,” Taumata said to Kirkpatrick at Rugby Park on Thursday.

Source: New Zealand Herald December 19, 2025 20:33 UTC