As a taster for the Air New Zealand Cup starting later this month, here are the near legendary Mafia awards for 2008. Thanks to the people who took the trouble to vote.

This is the 6th year of Mafia awards, click on the year to see the details.

Try of the Season

4th Jamie Nutbrown v Otago. Delany slices the defence on our own 22. Bourke comes up to support then puts Nutbrown over under the posts.

3rd Culum Retallick v Otago. Retallick bashes over the line from 10 yards out, carrying a couple of Otago forwards with him.

2nd Colin Bourke v North Harbour. The Bay had given up most of a huge lead but late in the game they ran from their own 22 and after great handling and a scything run by Zar Lawrence, Bourke was on hand to finish off.

1st Ruki Tipuna v Southland. Tipuna drove Jimmy Cowan mad that night and crowned his performance by scooting over for a great individual try. Faced with bad ball from a scrum on the opposition 22, Ruki danced and jigged his way to the line.

Next AB All Black

2nd Luke Braid. Looking ahead a couple of seasons maybe, but Luke has all the credentials to be an All Black one day. Limited opportunities in 2008, but surely we will see more of him in 2009.

1st Tanerau Latimer. An overwhelming vote for Latimer and we were correct as Tanerau made his debut against France in June 2009.

Rookie of the Season.

2nd Joe Savage. When Ben Castle and Simms Davison left just before the season started, we needed the 2 props to step up. Savage did this superbly and he was rewarded with a spot in the Chiefs.

1st James McGougan. Savage's propping partner did even better than Savage, making the Chiefs, cracking the starting line-up and then being selected for the Junior All Blacks. McGougan was solid in the scrums and always made metres with ball in hand.

Lifetime Award

1st John Moore. John has been around the Bay scene for years now and last season he cracked the 50 game mark. He and Retallick struck up a solid locking partnership for the Bay in 2008, and Moore has never let the Bay down over the years.

Player of the Season.

Equal 12th John Moore. Moore will rarely be anyone's choice when looking for star players, but Moore was a key component in the Bay's improved pack in 2008.
2007: 12

Equal 12th Corey Aporo. Aporo has never repeated his outstanding rookie season but he and Hunt were always solid in the midfield and there was a noticeable drop in defence when either was off the pitch.
2006: 2

Equal 10th John Pareanga. Pareanga will never be a human wrecking ball with ball in hand but he has been consistent for a while now.
2006: 12

Equal 10th Zar Lawrence. Lawrence took over at full back and starred in the Bay's winning run early in the season. Was quieter later in the season as the Bay started to struggle.

Equal 8th Culum Retallick. Retallick was a new man in 2008 having struggled to make an impact in 2007, he seemed much stronger and played well throughout.

Equal 8th Solomon King. King was on fire in the early games, running wide and causing defences huge problems. Later on, he was carrying an injury and maybe should have had a longer break. King in full flight is a great sight, here's hoping he manages a full season in 2009.
2007: 4

Equal 6th Joe Savage. When a prop is this high in a poll, you know he must be playing well. No nonsense and into everything.

Equal 6th Jamie Nutbrown. Nutbrown would probably have won the overall award if he hadn't defected mid-season, he was outstanding and it was a major blow when he left - even though Tipuna stood in well. The 8-9-10 axis of Bourke, Nutbrown and Delany was superb in the early games.
2007: 7
2006: 1

5th Nigel Hunt. After speculation about where he would play, Hunt settled into the midfield and was a key component in the backline. A great defender and punishing runner, he was unlucky to miss out on Super 14. Another big season and he will surely earn selection.

4th Mike Delany. Having finally been confirmed as Number 10 for the Bay, Delany was very good again. Selection for the Chiefs meant he was a pine-rider for most of the Super 14.
2007: 1
2006: 5
2005: 14

3rd Tanerau Latimer. Another player who was running on empty by the end of the season having given his all for the Chiefs, NZ Maori and Bay. Early on in the season he showed shy he was a future All Black.
2007: 6
2006: 11

2nd James McGougan. Big and bearded, Googs is everything a prop should be and meant that Castle & Davison weren't missed at all. Is able to play 80 minutes without losing intensity and having cracked the Junior All Blacks, we are all looking forward to seeing him unleashed in 2009.

1st Colin Bourke. The rookie of the season in 2004 showed all his talent at Number 8 in 2008. Powerful off the back of the scrum, ranging in support after line breaks or spiralling the ball into touch, he scored some great tries and is the deserved winner of this award. Selected for the Chiefs but saw little game time (no surprises there).
2007: 5
2006: 14
2005: 10
2004: 7