New Zealand captain Aaron Cruden has been named the IRB Junior Player of the Year 2009.

Cruden follows in the footsteps of his countryman Luke Braid and continues New Zealand's dominance of the award in recent years.

The 20-year-old guided New Zealand to their second successive Junior World Championship final against England and then led by example, scoring two tries and creating another three as they triumphed 44-28 in Tokyo.

He had produced a similar performance in the semi-final against Australia four days earlier, creating two tries in as many minutes to turn the match in New Zealand's favour and kicking 11 points in the 31-17 victory.

England captain Ollie Phillips was named IRB Sevens Player of the Year last month, leaving 11 of the 13 coveted IRB Awards still to be announced.

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