With their footy shorts and rugby boots firmly put away for the night, the stars of the Auckland Blues turned out in force last night to celebrate their 2016 season, alongside VIP’s and, of course, their lovely partners.
Held at Auckland’s Sky City, the team and their special guests dined on a three-course meal as eight awards were given out at the glitzy ceremony, including the Most Valuable Player award to inspirational captain, James Parsons, who also took home the Media Personality of the Year, which was presented by Woman’s Day.
While the players are more used to rucking than mauling than walking a, in this case blue, carpet, the lads took it all in their stride as they posed for Woman’s Day’s exclusive photos, giving most of the credit for their sharp new looks to their wives and partners- apart from legendary coach Tana Umanga, who confided to the crowd that he let his kids dress him.
See more photos from the Blues Awards in our gallery
All photos by Carmen Bird
Ihaia West and Dannielle Noanoa. Photo: Carmen Bird
Watch Ihaia dish on his gorgeous partner in the next video – gallery continues after the video
Dom Bowden interviews rugby stars from The Blues
Amanda McClatchie and Piers Francis. Photo: Carmen Bird
Ofa and Emma Tu’ungafasi. Photo: Carmen Bird
Alysha Brown and Brynn Hall. Photo: Carmen Bird
Alysha Brown and Brynn Hall. Photo: Carmen Bird
Sione Mafileo and Lucy Eskrigge. Photo: Carmen Bird
Melani Nanai and Bridie Reeves. Photo: Carmen Bird
Josh and Micaela Bekhuis. Photo: Carmen Bird
Josh and Micaela Bekhuis. Photo: Carmen Bird
Verity Bowring and Blake Gibson. Photo: Carmen Bird
Joseph Edwards. Photo: Carmen Bird
Ben Lam and Jess Gray. Photo: Carmen Bird
Charlie and Rachelle Faumuina. Photo: Carmen Bird
Carlie Verhoef and Sam Pratley. Photo: Carmen Bird
Matt McGahan and Tera Amani. Photo: Carmen Bird
Sophie Smith and Quenton MacDonald. Photo: Carmen Bird
Rene Ranger and Kim Te Haara. Photo: Carmen Bird
Stevie Murphy and Scott Scrafton. Photo: Carmen Bird
Alice O’Connell and Kelly Bertrand. Photo: Carmen Bird
Photo: Carmen Bird
Matt Moulds and Alice Hayes. Photo: Carmen Bird
Tori Kolose, Sam Nock, Rieko Ioan and Dione Iusitini. Photo: Carmen Bird
Male Sau and Matt Vaega. Photo: Carmen Bird
Sam Pratley, Quenton MacDonald and Hoani Matenga. Photo: Carmen Bird
Tori Kolose and Sam Nock. Photo: Carmen Bird
Tori Kolose and Sam Nock. Photo: Carmen Bird
Dione Iusitini and Rieko Ioane. Photo: Carmen Bird
Tonu Maiava and Afa Fa’atau. Photo: Carmen Bird
Marissa Smith and Billy Guyton. Photo: Carmen Bird
Namatahi Waa and Chivon Pohe. Photo: Carmen Bird
Tanerau and Alana Latimer. Photo: Carmen Bird
Alysha Brown and Micaela Bekhuis. Photo: Carmen Bird
Jerome and Di Kaino. Photo: Carmen Bird
Photo: Carmen Bird
Namatahi Waa and Chivon Pohe. Photo: Carmen Bird
Akira Loane, Scott Scrafton and Kara Pryor. Photo: Carmen Bird
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