In the competition for the World Rugby men’s player of the year award, Ireland’s Bundee Aki, France’s Antoine Dupont, South Africa’s Eben Etzebeth, and New Zealand’s Ardie Sevea have all been nominated. The winner will be announced in Paris on Sunday, a day after the World Cup final between the Springboks and All Blacks.
Despite Ireland’s exit in the quarter-finals, Aki had an exceptional performance in France and led the attack stats during the pool phase. Dupont, the recipient of the award in 2021, could not lead his team to victory on home soil.
The powerful displays of Etzebeth in the second row have made him a strong contender for the award. Sevea, a vital player for the All Blacks, has also performed remarkably this year.
The nominees for the breakthrough player of the year include New Zealanders Mark Tele’a and Tamaiti Williams, as well as South Africa’s Manie Libbok and France’s Louis Bielle-Biarrey. Libbok, unfortunately, did not make it to the match-day 23 for the World Cup final.
Simon Raiwalui of Fiji is in the running for coach of the year after leading his team to a World Cup quarter-final and a victory over England at Twickenham. However, the likely winners are Andy Farrell of Ireland, Ian Foster of New Zealand, or Jacques Nienaber of South Africa.
The nominees for the women’s player of the year award, along with several other categories, will be announced after the conclusion of the WXV tournament in New Zealand on November 4.
Reporting by Nick Said; Editing by Christian Radnedge
