New Zealand playmaker Beauden Barrett has been announced as world rugby player of the year, an honour he also claimed in 2016.
The five-eighth joined All Blacks great Richie McCaw (winner in 2006, 2009 and 2010) as the only players to win rugby’s top individual honour in consecutive years.
Barrett beat teammate Rieko Ioane, Australia fullback Israel Folau and England’s Owen Farrell and Maro Itoje to the award which was presented at a glitzy end-of-year awards ceremony in Monaco.
“I’m very proud and surprised,” Barett said.
“I wanted to be better than last year and I still feel I have plenty to go so that’s very exciting.”
His win continued New Zealand’s dominance since 2012, when Dan Carter took the award. Kieran Read won in 2013 before Brodie Retallick the following year and Carter again in 2015.
All Blacks winger Ioane won breakthrough player of the year.
England’s Eddie Jones pipped All Blacks’ Steve Hansen and Irish Lions’ Warren Gatland to be named coach of the year.
The 57-year-old Tasmanian led England to Six Nations success this year, presiding over a total of nine victories.
“I feel a bit embarrassed because we’re not the No 1 team in the world.” Jones said.
“(All Blacks coach) Steve Hansen should be up here but someone has judged it another way.”
New Zealand’s women picked up the women’s player of the year, Portia Woodman, sevens player of the year, Michaela Blyde, and team of the year honours.
Ryan
Roar Rookie
Best player in the world by far! Rieko 2nd..
Charging Rhino
Roar Guru
Or maybe you should have? ?
lassitude
Guest
spot on
Kane
Guest
I always thought it was a bit of a kiss and make up for him not getting the award in 08 behind Williams. Heck he wasn’t even nominated but was IMO the worlds best player.
Jumbo
Guest
I'm guessing the brains trust will push mckenzie towards first five eighth, i think they see dagg as more of a right wing these days and David havili is a great utility, he can cover centres, fullback and wing. So can definitely see jordie fighting with havili for a bench spot. Me personally i'd have iione , jordie, ben smith, with dagg as wing fullback cover..
Jumbo
Guest
I think his best position is fullback mainly because he has the height to contest high ball and also has the vision to attack, a pretty good tactical boot and an eye for the posts. His only weakness maybe his defence, but with age and a few more kg's to his slight frame he may come good.. After abit of googling, he is slightly taller 1.96cm 96kgs than folau at 194cm 103kgs, but definitely needs some beef.
Jacko
Guest
NZ womans side won the WC this year undefeated...What more do you want?
Jacko
Guest
Rugby fan as a Taranaki supporter you should be a Cheifs fan now...lol
Jacko
Guest
If Cheika can get it in 2015 for losing the WC final then Eddie is a far more deserving winner.England lost 1 game in the timeframe used...that aint bad
DavSA
Guest
Also team of the year . Maybe England or certainly the All Blacks but the NZ womans side ? Also sevens player of the year . The American woman (forget her name ) secured but surely not over the likes of Specman , Senatla , Kok ?
Mike Julz
Guest
Yup he's already better than Beauden at the same age. It'll be hard to where do you fit him in. Fullback looks like his calling, but with Benny their till next 2019, and then you got McKenzie, Havili, Dagg, so many good players to choose from. But for me Jordie is a must at the next World Cup. McKenzie is making the most of his time there, and hes look fit right in.
Cuw
Guest
agree. it is too flawed in cricket - coz India has 1.2 billion heads :) but this is the twitter age. move on with the times :P
Jumbo
Guest
I personally believe jordie barett will surpass bb at some stage, he trumps him in all departments bar speed. I recall bb some years back admittedly comment that the best barett brother isn't playing with them yet and that his freakishness scared him. Now I know, he wasn't just being modest, this kid was fantastic this year before his untimely injury and didn't look out of place in the final lions test against the best of Europe.
Machooka
Roar Guru
Oops...*savour* ... although a saviour is most welcomed ;)
Machooka
Roar Guru
*smiles*... well saviour it as it's probably the last you, and I, will have anything to smile about for next season :)
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
*smiles*... I like that the "Blues phenom" ... not the Kiwi or the All Black, but the Blues phenom ...
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Cuw .. then that's a flaw. I tend to think fans play favourites much more than an elite panel..... but it is what it is...
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Judging is over the whole season... how did Gatland do other than the Lions series? (note he wasn't even in charge of some of the Wales games due to his commitment to the BIL). Even then he did not win the series.
KiwiHaydn
Guest
Agree, Kaino in 2011 and Nonu in 2015.
KiwiHaydn
Guest
Yes, but all that basically says “we’ll give you a chance to have a say, but in the end the panel chooses the winner”.