Mako wingers earn national awards recognition

Two Mako men, Macca Springer and Timoci Tavatavanawai, have been recognised with nominations at the ASB Rugby Awards.

Timoci was nominated for the Duane Monkley Medal for Bunnings NPC Player of the Year alongside Canterbury’s Fergus Burke, Auckland’s Adrian Choat and Counties Manukau’s Etene Nanai-Seturo.

This season, the winger started in all 11 matches for the Mako, playing every minute and scoring five tries.

Macca was nominated for the New Zealand Rugby Age Grade Player of the Year alongside Hawke’s Bay’s Harry Godfrey and Auckland’s Angelica Mekeke-Vahai.

At 20-years-old, the utility back also started in every Mako game this season, scoring five tries.

Additionally, he made five appearances with the New Zealand U20 team, scoring five tries, as well as playing nine games for the Crusaders where he scored four tries.

The awards night will be broadcast live on Sky Sport on 14 December and will also include  Steinlager Salver for Outstanding contribution to New Zealand Rugby and the Kelvin R Tremain Memorial Player of the Year trophy.