New Zealand Rugby King’s Birthday honours recipients

New Zealand Rugby (NZR) has congratulated All Blacks and Black Ferns Performance Coach Wayne Smith, and Black Ferns Co-Captains Ruahei Demant and Kennedy Simon, who have all been honoured in the 2023 King’s Birthday Honours list today.

Tournament Director of the Rugby World Cup 2021, played in 2022 Michelle Hooper and former All Blacks Captain and NZR President Andrew Leslie were also honoured for their contribution to sport.

Smith, who has been a significant part of the legacy of the black jersey and New Zealand Rugby’s success, will fittingly become a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (KNZM) for his services to rugby.

Recognised as World Rugby’s Coach of the Year for 2022, Smith was the mastermind behind the success of the Black Ferns at Rugby World Cup 2021, played in 2022, which captured the hearts of our nation. Smith’s contribution to rugby has been phenomenal, spanning over several decades. Named as All Black #806 in 1980, he played 17 Tests between 1980 – 1985. Following his playing career, he turned to coaching. Known as “the Professor” he has had a notable coaching career, having successfully won Super Rugby titles with the Crusaders and Chiefs, alongside three Rugby World Cup titles, 2011 and 2015 as Assistant Coach of the All Blacks and last year as Director of Rugby for the Black Ferns.  In 2012 he was appointed a Companion of the Order of Merit for services to rugby.

Black Ferns Co-Captains Ruahei Demant and Kennedy Simon were inspirational in their leadership of the World Champion Black Ferns Squad, have been named as Members of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for services to rugby.

Michelle Hooper, Tournament Director of the Rugby World Cup 2021, played in 2022, has been named as a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for services to sport, in particular her role in the tournament’s success.

Former All Blacks Captain and NZR President Andrew Leslie was named as an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) for services to sport and community.