Zac Guildford heads rugby award nominations

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Rookie All Black Zac Guildford has been nominated in three categories for this year's New Zealand rugby awards.

Dashing young wing Guildford plays his second test this weekend when the All Blacks take on England at Twickenham.

When he returns to New Zealand he might find his biggest season capped off with further accolades.

He has been nominated in the age-group, Air New Zealand Cup and Maori categories of the Steinlager Awards that will be held in Auckland on December 17.

The All Blacks' dominance of the awards isn't so strong this year. None of their coaching staff are up for awards and Graham Henry's side has missed out on the team category.

Nominees:

 NZRU Age Grade Player of the Year

Sam Cane (Bay of Plenty), Aaron Cruden (Manawatu), Zac Guildford (Hawke's Bay), Winston Stanley (Auckland)

Richard Crawshaw Memorial Sevens Player of the Year

Carla Hohepa (Otago), Zar Lawrence (Bay of Plenty), Julian Savea (Wellington)

Super 14 Player of the Year

Malili (Mils) Muliaina (Chiefs), Aled de Malmanche (Chiefs), Ma'a Nonu (Hurricanes)

Tom French Memorial Maori Player of the Year

Zac Guildford (Hawke's Bay, Ngati Kahungunu), Cory Jane (Wellington, Ngati Kahungunu), Isaac Ross (Canterbury, Kai Tahu)

Heartland Championship Player of the Year

Jon Dampney (Mid Canterbury), Sione Ngatu (Poverty Bay), Asaeli Tikoirutuma (Wanganui)

 Air New Zealand Cup Player of the Year

Josh Bekhuis (Southland), Mike Delany (Bay of Plenty), Zac Guildford (Hawke's Bay)

Team of the Year

Canterbury (Air New Zealand Cup), New Zealand Under 20, Wanganui (Heartland Championship)

New Zealand coach of the Year

Ian Foster (Chiefs), Guy Lennox (Wanganui), Rob Penney (Canterbury), Dave Rennie (New Zealand Under 20)

 The Charles Monro Rugby Volunteer of the Year

Blair Crawford (Otago), David Hickey (Auckland), Peter Te Tai (Southland)

 NZRU Women's Player of the Year

(to be confirmed)