News

Counties Manukau PIC Steelers halfback Cameron Roigard has been voted as the best player in this year’s Bunnings Warehouse NPC by a poll on the SENZ radio station.

Afternoon host Mark Stafford named his Staffy M [his take on the Dally M Awards] Team of the Year late last week and selected Roigard as his halfback of the season.

He then opened it up to listeners to vote by call or text to choose an overall player of the year from his team.

Listeners selected the 21-year-old as the competition’s best in 2022.

Stafford congratulated Roigard by getting him on his show and marvelled at his running game this season.

“I think it is probably getting the opportunity to showcase it. The coaching and the players around me gave me the confidence to play what is in front of me and to back my instincts, Roigard told Stafford in his interview.

“I know when I first went to the Canes, Jordie [All Black utility back Jordie Barrett] used to talk about it a lot – we have got the skills, so it is just backing your instinct and that has stuck with me.

“If I saw half a gap, I thought why not have a crack?”

The PIC Steelers saw a bit of a renaissance in 2022, picking an entirely local squad and playing with plenty of heart. It resonated with the community, who turned out in strong numbers to support the team.

“To me that is what the NPC is all about,” Roigard said.

“It is awesome when you see the stands and bank filled up and real loud - you do hear them and that is awesome.

“That is why you play or why I play – I love those big games or when there are big crowds, and they are vocal and loud, and you put on a good performance and make them proud.”