World Rugby Awards
World Rugby held their annual awards ceremony at the end of October, announcing their Player of the Year in 15’s and 7’s as well as a variety of other awards including Try of the Year and Coach of the year.
The event took place at the beautiful Opera Garnier in Paris the day after South Africa narrowly beat New Zealand in the World Cup final. South Africa has now won the World Cup a record four times.
As well as current rugby players being recognised for their achievements, five ex-players were inducted into the Hall of Fame. Dan Carter (New Zealand), Thierry Dusautoir (France), George Smith (Australia), Bryan Habana (South Africa) and Juan Martin Hernadez (Argentina).
World Rugby Chairman Sir Bill Beaumont said: “If Rugby World Cup 2023 was the ultimate party to celebrate our sport’s 200th birthday, this memorable evening has surely been the cherry on the cake.
“In the company of generations of great players and servants of the global game, we’ve been able to celebrate some extraordinary personalities who have lit up stadiums, captured imaginations and contributed to driving rugby forward into a new era.
“As we look to the future, we know that the strength of our sport will remain the exceptional individuals we are fortunate to count as part of our great, global rugby family. I offer both congratulations and thanks to all those honoured tonight.”
There are four more women’s categories to be announced and celebrated separately, at the conclusion of the ongoing WXV tournament.
The full list of winners are as follows:
World Rugby Men’s 15s Player of the Year in partnership with Mastercard – Ardie Savea (New Zealand)
World Rugby Coach of the Year – Andy Farrell (Ireland)
World Rugby Men’s 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year in partnership with Tudor – Mark Tele’a (New Zealand)
World Rugby Men’s Sevens Player of the Year in partnership with HSBC – Rodrigo Isgro (Argentina)
World Rugby Women’s Sevens Player of the Year in partnership with HSBC – Tyla Nathan-Wong (New Zealand)
World Rugby Referee Award – David McHugh (Ireland)
Vernon Pugh Award for Distinguished Service – George Nijaradze (Georgia)
Rugby for All Award – SOS Kit Aid
International Rugby Players Special Merit Award – John Smit (South Africa)
International Rugby Players Men’s Try of the Year – Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland)
World Rugby Hall of Fame inductees: Daniel Carter (New Zealand), Thierry Dusautoir (France), George Smith (Australia), Juan Martín Hernández (Argentina), Bryan Habana (South Africa).
Thank you to World Rugby for the information in this article.
