World Rugby Awards

The nominations for the World Awards are out and are as follows :

MEN'S 15s PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Bundee Aki Ireland
Antoine Dupont France
Eben Etzebeth South Africa
Ardie Savea New Zealand

MEN'S SEVENS PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Leroy Carter New Zealand
Rodrigo Isgro Argentina
Marcos Moneta Argentina
Akuila Rokolisoa New Zealand

WOMEN'S SEVENS PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Michaela Blyde New Zealand
Maddison Levi Australia
Tyla Nathan-Wong New Zealand
Reapi Ulunisau Fiji

HSBC TUDOR INTERNATIONAL RUGBY PLAYERS MEN'S TRY OF THE YEAR
Duhan van der Merwe Scotland v England
Damian Penaud France v Ireland
Hugo Keenan Ireland v France
Vinaya Habosi Fiji v Georgia

MEN'S 15s BREAKTHROUGH PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Louis Bielle-Biarrey France
Manie Libbok South Africa
Mark Tele'a New Zealand
Tamaiti Williams New Zealand

COACH OF THE YEAR
Andy Farrell Ireland
lan Foster New Zealand
Jacques Nienaber South Africa
Simon Raiwalui Fiji

Any views or comments?

Feels like a bit of RWC bias in some of the nominations. Aki has had a great tournament but even as an Ireland supporter I wouldn't put him forward for Player of the Year. And I know it will annoy my Scottish cousins but Penaud for try of year.

Wouldn't it be hilarious if Ian Foster gets the coach award after all the flack he recieved in previous years.

Old Man wrote:Wouldn't it be hilarious if Ian Foster gets the coach award after all the flack he recieved in previous years.

Yeah it would, the majority of that flack from his own country men and women.

I have to say a lot of it was unjustified as he has proven he is resilient and can put together a winning side. Personally though I think that Andy Farrell and Jacques Nienabar are the best coaches around at the moment.

Why isn't there a Women's 15s player of the year award? Or is that delayed until after WXV has completed?

4 women's categories are going to be after yes.

Raiwalui has done well mind.

And special mention for Lagisque (excuse the spelling) Portugal Coach. What a pleasure to watch that team!!!

I really hope Duhan gets try of the year. Yes the defending was woeful, but I genuinely don't think the game has seen something so spectacular since that Chris Ashton try.

Collapse2005 wrote:

Old Man wrote:Wouldn't it be hilarious if Ian Foster gets the coach award after all the flack he recieved in previous years.

Yeah it would, the majority of that flack from his own country men and women.

I have to say a lot of it was unjustified as he has proven he is resilient and can put together a winning side. Personally though I think that Andy Farrell and Jacques Nienabar are the best coaches around at the moment.

Gotta be a kiwi to understand that flak.
In Fosters tenure his sides managed events that had not occurred since the first AB test in 1903:
- First ever lost to Argentina (twice, once we were thrashed)
- First home test and series loss to Ireland
- First ever pool loss in a World cup.
- a 71% test win record, easily the lowest in the professional era. Lost almost as many tests in 45 tests as Henry did in 106.

Difficult to appreciate when you aren't use to that level of expectation.
Many Kiwis are hard on their All Black coaches, its part of what makes them so successful.
To hear Foster say 'Now the pressure is off us to perform' after a record Bok loss weeks ago didnt go down well, the acceptance of mediocrity never part of the AB psyche..
It is what it is.

The last few matches have certainly won a lot of those critics back, though even if we win this most will still prefer the new life Razor breathes into the game.
Hope he wins, he'll certainly have deserved it.
Foster is part of the very successful era Henry created, and this succession coaching has long past its used by date.

The thing Kiwis need to learn to accept though Taylorman it isnt all Fosters fault. The ABs used to have unrivalled depth compared to everyone else. They dont any more. Super rugby and the rugby championship used to be ahead of other world comps, they arent anymore. Also Hansen didnt leave the squad in perfect shape, the slide had already begun during his tenure with his own firsts, first loss to Ireland, first loss to England at the world cup, decrease in squad depth already in question, drawn series to Lions etc. Also this is probably the best ever Irish squad too which also isnt Fosters fault. Most ABs coaches in the past have had a relatively easy ride whereas Foster has not at all yet he has still had the fortitude to ride the storm and has still won a rugby championship and got to a world cup final.

Im sure Robertson will be a success but he definitely wont have it as easy as previous AB coaches.

Andy Farrell is worked rugby coach of the year.

Award winners :
Full 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 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).

Unclear wrote:Award winners :
Full 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 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).

World Rugby Hall of Fame inductees: Daniel Carter (New Zealand), Thierry Dusautoir (France), George Smith (Australia), Juan Martín Hernández (Argentina), Bryan Habana (South Africa).

Incredible collection of players,