Les Elder (nee Ketu) and Samuel Whitelock have become the 2025 recipients of the NZRPA Kirk Award in honour of their long standing and impactful contribution to players and the game.
Both have played rugby at every level including club, Provincial, Super Rugby and internationally, achieving the highest accolades of winning Rugby World Cups. However, it is their commitment to serve their fellow players and rugby that has seen them awarded the NZRPA Kirk Award by their peers.
Les Elder, a proud Māori and mother of three, has long been an advocate for players and a champion for the growth of women’s rugby.
Elder made her Black Ferns debut in 2015 and quickly became known for her leadership. She returned from injury following a standout season with Waikato in 2016 to make the winning 2017 Rugby World Cup side. The openside flanker was also part of the Bay of Plenty Volcanix side that won the Farah Palmer Cup Championship in 2017 while working as a Rugby Development Officer for the Bay of Plenty Union. The uncompromising player captained the Chiefs Manawa to victory in the first Super Rugby match in 2021, and the following year won the inaugural Super Rugby Aupiki title.
The former Black Ferns and Chiefs Manawa captain is now a regular SKY TV commentator and recently covered the Women’s Rugby World Cup. The University of Waikato HR graduate, is hugely passionate about supporting tamariki and has mentored youth through coaching and community roles, including working with her local iwi and serving as a trustee on her local Marae. Elder also co-hosts the Full Credit podcast and has started a growing running club to encourage others to stay active in Taumarunui.
In addition to leading on the field, Elder has advocated for players off the field, having served on the NZRPA Board for many years and continues to play a pivotal role as a member of the NZRPA Player’s Council.
One of the many players who has been mentored by Elder and her husband is Olympic Gold Medalist and Black Ferns Seven’s player Jazmin Felix-Hotham. Commenting on benefiting from Elder’s guidance and kindness, Felix-Hotham said “I greatly admire the values Les carries and holds herself to, and I want to mirror the kind of athlete she is. She is respectful, makes great connections, encourages growth and challenges you when you need it.”
Double Women’s Rugby World Cup winner and former Black Fern Charmaine McMenamin reinforced Hotham’s praise saying; “Les is highly competitive, fierce, relentlessly hardworking and meticulous in her role. But the thing that stands out the most is how selfless she was while staying true to her values.”
The other outstanding recipient of the 2025 NZRPA Kirk Award, Samuel Whitelock’s rugby achievements are well documented, and the list is both extensive and long. Not only is he the highest capped All Black at 153 matches, but he has captained the side on 18 occasions. The farmer, originally from Fielding now based in Napier, is one of the very few to have played in four Men’s Rugby World Cups where in a rare feat he earned two golds, one silver and a bronze medal at lock, adding to his seven Super Rugby titles he won whilst notching up 181 matches for the Crusaders. He has been part of the World Rugby Team of the Year on six occasions, the Laureus Team of the Year and won New Zealand Player of the Year.
With a plan to always go farming with his wife Hannah, Whitelock graduated from Lincoln University with a Science degree majoring in plant science. His degree took six years to complete, which included sitting exams from all over the world whilst playing professional rugby.
The keen hunter and fisherman’s no-nonsense approach on and off the field has seen him be a highly effective voice for players for the best part of a decade serving on the board of the NZRPA.
His All Blacks locking partner for a world record 64 tests, Brodie Retallick said “On the field Sam was a man of actions and led by example for people to learn and follow, so it is no surprise he continued that leadership and contributions off the field to support the players and the game. He is a highly deserving recipient of the NZRPA Kirk Award.”
The father of three and author was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to rugby and the community in the 2025 New Years Honours list.
All Blacks and Crusaders hooker Codie Taylor knows the dedicated family man well stating “Sam is a true competitor who gave everything on the field. He was someone you could trust to do his job and hold others accountable. One of the greats to ever wear the black jersey.”
Former NZRPA Chairman David Kirk said, “Les and Sam are iconic players in our great game, and the Award recognises that, but more importantly it recognises the leadership, heart and selflessness of these two great players who have inspired and supported so many others.”
Award history:
The NZRPA Kirk Award was established in 2005 and named after NZRPA founding chairman, former All Black captain David Kirk MBE and current NZR Chairman. Kirk led the All Blacks to their first Rugby World Cup title in 1987.
Previous recipients include Conrad Smith, Richie McCaw and Tana Umaga, in recognition of their off-field roles in helping to establish the commercial and employment partnership between the players and the game's administrators, which has underpinned the professional rugby environment and achievements ever since.
2016 recipient - Justin Collins
2017 recipient - DJ Forbes
2018 recipients - Fiao’o Fa’amausili and Keven Mealamu
2019 recipients - Josh Blackie, Hale T Pole and Seilala Mapusua
2020 recipient - Andy Ellis
2021 recipient – Melodie Robinson
2024 recipient – Dan Carter
2025 recipients – Les Elder and Samuel Whitelock
Award name
The NZRPA Kirk Award was named after the former New Zealand Rugby Players’ Association Chairman David Kirk. Former All Black, David Kirk, captained the All Blacks to their first Rugby World Cup title in 1987. A medical doctor, Rhodes Scholar and former advisor to the Prime Minister, Kirk was awarded an MBE in 1988 for services to rugby. The former Fairfax Media CEO and Chairman of TradeMe, Kathmandu and Forsyth Barr sits on several boards, is a trustee of several charities and is the co-founder and partner of Bailador Investment Management. The author of two books, Kirk was inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame in 2011. Kirk has served as the Chairman of the New Zealand Rugby Players’ Association since its establishment in 1999 until 2025 when he became Chairman of New Zealand Rugby, and this award is named in recognition of his outstanding, selfless contribution and leadership in this regard.
