Aotearoa was well represented at this year's World Rugby Awards, with one current legend taking home the award for best player.
All Blacks Ardie Savea and Mark Telea and Black Ferns Seven’s player Tyla Nathan-Wong have all taken home silverware at this year’s World Rugby Awards.
Just a day after taking the captain reigns in the World Cup Final after Sam Cane was sent off, Savea was crowned the Men’s 15s Player of the Year. The number 8 was brilliantly brutal throughout the year and was a consistent force during the team's inconsistent run before the RWC.
"Very blessed and very grateful to be up here," he said before thanking the squad. "For an individual to stand out, it's based on the foundation and that's the team."
Tele’a was named the Men’s 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year. The winger scored two tries in his debut in November of last year and proved to be a scintillating and dangerous tackle-breaker and try-finisher in every match he has played in since.
"It's a huge honour to receive this," he said, also showing gratitude towards the fellas. "Thank you to Fozzy, my teammates, I'm truly grateful to be a part of this team - they put me in the right part of the field."
Nathan-Wong took home the award for Women’s Sevens Player of the Year. She is pacey and skilled as well as one of the most experienced players of all time. Immense success has come to the Black Ferns 7s in big part to Nathan-Wong.
Alongside Savea at No. 8, three New Zealanders landed a spot in the Men’s 15s Team of the Year: Lock Scott Barret, first-five Richie Mo’unga and winger Will Jordan.
Despite winning the World Cup, only one South African made the Team of the Year: Lock Eden Etzebeth.
Coach of the Year went to Ireland's Andy Farrell and Try of the Year went to Scotland's Duhan van der Merwe for his nuts individual effort vs England.
Congrats to everyone who took home an award and for providing an awesome, if ultimately gutting, rugby season.
