Ardie Savea crowned World Rugby Player of the Year, Springboks snubbed
All Black Ardie Savea poses with his World Rugby Men's 15s Player of the Year award.
Tireless All Blacks loose forward Ardie Savea was named World Rugby’s Men 15s Player of the Year in Paris on Sunday night.
Despite losing the final to South Africa the evening before, Savea was rewarded for some commanding displays in the black jersey after he played a crucial role in getting his team to the final of the Rugby World Cup.
He edged out a blockbuster group of nominees, including two-time World Cup winner Eben Etzebeth, Irishman Bundee Aki and France skipper Antoine Dupont, all of whom had a blockbuster tournament for their countries.
Lighting up the world stage for yet another year
Ardie Savea is named the Men’s 15s Player of the Year in partnership with @Mastercard#WorldRugbyAwards pic.twitter.com/4jK3XPlqjE
— World Rugby (@WorldRugby) October 29, 2023
Coach of the Year
The Springboks did not get the reward that was perhaps expected, with tactician Jacques Nienaber losing out on the World Rugby Coach of the Year award to Ireland boss Andy Farrell.
The Ireland head coach took his team on a sensational run this year but failed to progress past the quarter-finals. He not only edged out Nienaber but also All Blacks head coach Ian Foster and outgoing Fijian boss Simon Raiwalui.
The back-to-back champions’ luck did not improve in the Men 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year, with the evasive All Black Mark Telea bagging the award.
Telea has been a sensation since bursting onto the Test scene and thoroughly deserves the accolade ahead of his teammate Tamaiti Williams, Springbok Manie Libbok and Frenchman Louis Bielle-Biarrey.
Gargantuan Scotsman Duhan van der Merwe won the International Rugby Men’s Try of the Year with his heroic solo score against England in the Six Nations earlier this year.
𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐀𝐋𝐄𝐃: Duhan van der Merwe's instantly iconic try against England at Twickenham is this year's @Breitling #DefiningMoment of the Championship!
The @Scotlandteam powerhouse's incredible try took almost 55% of the fans' vote 🗳#GuinnessSixNations ⌚️ #Breitling pic.twitter.com/59GJ6OBFtv
— Guinness Men's Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) April 17, 2023
Dream Team
The Men’s Dream Team for 2023 was also announced and only included one world champion in Etzebeth, whilst the rest of the team was filled with France, New Zealand and Ireland players.
World Rugby Dream Team: 15 Thomas Ramos, 14 Damian Penaud, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 Will Jordan, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Antoine Dupont, 8 Caelan Doris, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Charles Ollivon, 5 Scott Barrett, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 2 Dan Sheehan, 1 Cyril Baille
List of World Rugby Awards winners
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 Telea (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).
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