Black Ferns scoop top award

The Black Ferns have pipped the All Blacks for the title of New Zealand rugby's team of the year in their annual awards ceremony.

The World Cup winning women's rugby team were honoured ahead of their Tri Nations and European Grand Slam winning male counterparts in recognition for their achievement in London last September in winning the world crown for the fourth consecutive time.

The Black Ferns were also up against the New Zealand under 20 World Championship side, the New Zealand Sevens Commonwealth Games team and the New Zealand Maori Centenary side.

Since the return of the World Cup winners the NZRU have saidthey will look at reintroducing the women's NPCwhich was canned last year because of financial pressures.

Try-scoring sensation Carla Hohepa took out the women's player of the year title to add to her International Rugby Union personality of the year award.

More reaction and images will follow.