Gregor Paul casts his eye over the 2015 rugby season and hands out some awards of his own.

Richie McCaw was emotional as he donned the All Black blazer for the final time at the Rugby Awards last night.

Ma'a Nonu, who was once unwanted by any NZ franchise, has added to his list of incredible achievements in 2015 by being named NZ's Player of the Year.

Europe's top clubs have swung into full recruitment mode and have their sights set on fringe All Blacks Victor Vito, Israel Dagg and Cory Jane.

Retired All Black certainly isn't taking it easy if his latest training is anything to go by: "80km, 3,700m of climbing and 17 hours non-stop tramping with mates!"

COMMENT: How NZ Rugby damaged the country's biggest brand, writes Wynne Gray.

The Auckland Council was so confident the men in black would win the Rugby World Cup they were planning celebrations two games into the tournament.

All Blacks coach has given his backing to Stuart Lancaster and Heyneke Meyer, two coaches who have fallen on the sharp edge of the results business.

Having hung up their boots for summer - or for good - rugby's world champions went fishing.

Any All Black interest about jousting with England and their new coach Eddie Jones will be done from the sidelines for the next few years.

All Blacks great Michael Jones praises Jonah Lomu's widow for allowing New Zealanders to pay their respects to the rugby legend.

All Blacks first five-eighth Dan Carter has been nominated for the BBC Overseas Sports Personality of the Year award.

Former rivals react to the retirement from rugby of All Blacks captain.

Richie McCaw has hung up his boots but still feels the need, the need for speed.

As Jonah Lomu's mother, Hepi, left her son's Auckland home yesterday, she picked up a yellow rose left on the driveway and smiled.

Our Herald rugby reporter Wynne Gray discussed the passing of All Blacks legend Jonah Lomu and the retirement of captain Richie McCaw.

All Blacks skipper bows out: "The last thing I wanted to do was limp to the end."

The young Lomu had thrived in sport, especially athletics and rugby, and had made it his goal to represent New Zealand one day.

The Tongan village where Jonah Lomu is best remembered has gone into mourning to honour the passing of the sporting giant.

It is possible that Jonah Lomu was better known worldwide than any New Zealander at any time, even Sir Edmund Hillary.

Joel Stransky first played against Lomu moments after Nelson Mandela shook hands with the players before the 1995 Rugby World Cup final in Johannesburg.

Tana Umaga provided a simple explanation when asked why Jonah Lomu captured the imagination of New Zealand and world rugby.

He might have left rugby long ago, writes Gregor Paul, but Jonah Lomu remained the most famous player in the world.