WELLINGTON, Dec 11 (Reuters) - All Black Ardie Savea was named the best rugby player in New Zealand for the third time on Thursday after a season in which he won his 100th test cap and inspired Moana Pasifika to their best Super Rugby campaign.

The 32-year-old loose forward added a third Kelvin R Tremain Memorial Player of the Year award to his 2019 and 2023 honours at Thursday's New Zealand Rugby awards.