Overnight in London, the party continued for many as the World Rugby Awards celebrate a ‘Fantastic’ tournament in 2015.
The awards evening held at Battersea Evolution were a tribute to the success of this tournament, with many teams, coaches and officials representing most of the playing nations involved in the 2015 Rugby World Cup (RWC) From it’s inception in 2001, the World Rugby Awards have recognized and celebrated the achievements of players, supporters and volunteers in the game; and this evening was no different.
Held the night after the thrilling 2015 Final, won in fine-fashion by the victorious New Zealand All Blacks, the awards celebrated the last twelve months with categories that cover on-field as well as off-field contributions. Befitting the recent result, the All Blacks were naturally well represented in the nights achievements and below are the full list of categories, the nominees and awards winners.
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- World Rugby Player of the Year – nominees: RWC 2015 finalists Daniel Carter and Julian Savea (New Zealand) Michael Hooper and David Pocock (Australia) are joined by Scotland captain Greig Laidlaw and Wales second-row Alun Wyn Jones.
Dan Carter comes off a Man of the Match performance by claiming his third award. After regaining his position and overcoming injury setbacks, Carter is recognized as the leading points scorer in International Rugby, a player of his generation and this accolade is a tremendous way to end his fine All Blacks career, in being rewarded with the Player of the Year award.
- World Rugby Team of the Year – nominees RWC 2015 finalists New Zealand and Australia, along with Argentina and Japan.
New Zealand All Blacks have capped off winning their third World Championship by being celebrated for a superb period since winning in 2011. Over the year, the Richie McCaw lead side have had to face challenges in Samoa, Australia [suffering their only loss in 2015] and in South Africa before peaking for the qualifying stages of the RWC. With six leading players looking to complete their International careers, what better way to go out on top, than to lead your side again to the apex of World Rugby–and to be recognized by your peers and fans alike.
- World Rugby Coach of the Year – nominees: Steve Hansen (New Zealand), Michael Cheika (Australia), Daniel Hourcade (Argentina) and Eddie Jones (Japan)
Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has brought his side back up to be ranked number two in World Rugby, and after accomplishments in Europe and winning the 2014 Super Rugby title with the Waratahs, he is gaining a reputation to soon challenge the All Blacks as the supreme side in International rugby.
- World Rugby Referee – nominees: Jérôme Garcès (France) Nigel Ownes (Wales) and Alhambra Nievas (Spain)
Nigel Owens was widely acclaimed as the leading rugby referee over the last twelve months, topped off in officiating in the RWC Final. His manner with players, fairness and ‘quickwit’ has endeared him with rugby fans the world over. Traveling from Europe to Australasia, his authority is never questioned and he has gained plaudits for his work in the community as well.
- IRPA Try of the Year – nominees: New Zealand winger Julian Savea has two tries on the shortlist with the other try-scorers being French prop Vincent Debaty, Welsh flanker Justin Tipuric, Tongan winger Fetu’u Vainikolo and Japan full-back Ayumu Goromaru.
Julian Savea has been in terrific form over this year, playing so well for his Hurricanes team at Super Rugby level and when tested by the All Black environment, has peaked to equal the tournament tryscoring record of eight (equal with Jonah Lomu and Bryan Habana) Hie winning try against France was an example of brute strength, determination and his team mates sharing quality ball that enables a quality winger to finish off the task.
- World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year – nominees: Scotland centre Mark Bennett, Georgia scrum-half Vasil Lobzhanidze and New Zealand winger Nehe Milner-Skudder.
After a standout ITM Cup season with Manawatu Turbos, Nehe Milner-Skudder’s rise to stardom has seen him rise to the occasion, with a sensational debut for the All Blacks (two tries) and he achieved glory when scoring in the RWC Final on his way to collecting a winners medal. This award caps off a super twelve months that has put Milner-Skudder on a path to secure the wingers position for years to come.
- World Rugby Women’s Player of the Year – nominees: New Zealand scrum-half Kendra Cocksedge, France captain Gaëlle Mignot and Ireland second-row Sophie Spence.
New Zealand Black Ferns player Kendra Cocksedge is establishing herself as one of the finest players in the game. The feisty Canterbury halfback has recently set points scoring records in New Zealand domestic rugby, her talent is obvious and her Black ferns team are always on the front foot with her directing the pack.
- World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year (in association with HSBC) – nominees: South African players Werner Kok and Seabelo Senatla were joined by Flying Fijian Semi Kunatani.
After a stellar 2015 Sevens World Series has seen Werner Kok receives the International Player of the Year award. The Blitz Bok player is a constant threat on the pitch, great in defence and a link player who is a threat wherever he is on the field. Look for Kok and Senatla to help guide their team towards qualification for the Rio Summer Olympics.
- World Rugby Women’s Sevens Player of the Year – nominees: Charlotte Caslick (Australia) Nadezhda Kudinova (Russia) Sarah Goss and Portia Woodman (New Zealand)
Portia Woodman has stormed onto the scene in the Women’s Sevens Series, collecting tries at will. Speed and vision, she was voted Player of the Tournament in Brazil on the way to helping her New Zealand team take the Women’s World Crown. With fine sporting lineage; her Father and Uncle were both All Blacks, she continues to represent her family and will be alongside her captain Goss when they represent New Zealand at the Rio Summer Games.
- Award for Character – Pakistan Rugby Union
- Vernon Pugh Award for Distinguished Service – Nigel Starmer-Smith
- IRPA Special Merit Award – Brian O’Driscoll and Nathan Sharpe
Congratulations to all the men and women nominated and to each category winner, Last Word On Sports salutes your performance both on and off the field.
In a new category, World Rugby and Facebook developed a brand new category at the World Rugby Awards – the Rugby World Cup Best Match Moment. For the first time ever, fans were able to select their favourite moment from a shortlist, including many standout team and individual performances from four tournaments spanning the last 20 years.
The four moments fans could vote on were:
- Japan’s historic 34-32 defeat of South Africa at RWC 2015
- Jonny Wilkinson’s RWC 2003-winning drop goal against Australia
- France’s remarkable comeback to beat the All Blacks at RWC 1999
- Jonah Lomu’s bruising performance against England at RWC 1995
Rugby World Cup Best Match Moment – undoubtedly, the moment of the 2015 Rugby World Cup was Japan’s ‘giant killer’ performance to upset former Champions South Africa that opened the tournament with a Bang! Voted as the Best Match, it showed the indomitable spirit of Japanese Rugby, it’s combination of local talent and the utility of resident players and fine coaching from Eddie Jones, they all contributed to making Japan the ‘darling’ of the RWC.
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Exerts for this article were taken from the World Rugby website.
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