Wallabies captain Michael Hooper and centre Samu Kerevi have been nominated for World Rugby’s player of the year while Andrew Kellaway is nominated for the breakthrough player of the year.
In a further sign of what the team achieved in the 2021 Rugby Championship, Dave Rennie has been nominated for coach of the year.
No Australian payer has ever won the Men’s 15 player of the year award in the two decades the gong has been handed out.
Michael Hooper who became Australia’s most-capped captain in September has been a force for his side. He’s consistently achieved above 7 ratings voted on by Roar readers for matches played this year.
Kerevi has been equally impressive on his return to the Wallabies midfield and was a big part of Australia-s five-match winning streak.
The two Aussies are up against scrum-half Antoine Dupont from France and Maro Itoje (England/British and Irish Lions). The winner will be decided by a fan vote with voting opened from now until early December. You’ll also be able to vote on the women’s player of the year and the men’s and women’s try of the year
“The World Rugby Awards are the ultimate accolade for rugby, and we are delighted to honour the outstanding players and individuals who have made an impact on our game on and off the field in 2021,” World Rugby Chairman Sir Bill Beaumont said
“The pandemic and its consequences have restricted several unions from playing international games this year and we recognise that not all rugby stars have had a chance to shine. Nevertheless, the World Rugby Awards Panel has done an amazing job in selecting suitable candidates in each category and I would like to congratulate all nominees who, deservingly, have been shortlisted for this year’s awards.”
World Rugby Award Nominations
World Rugby Men’s 15s Player of the Year (fan vote)
Antoine Dupont (France)
Michael Hooper (Australia)
Maro Itoje (England/British and Irish Lions)
Samu Kerevi (Australia)
Antoine Dupont (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
World Rugby Women’s 15s Player of the Year (fan vote)
Zoe Aldcroft (England)
Caroline Boujard (France)
Laure Sansus (France)
Poppy Cleall (England)
World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year (panel vote)
Will Jordan (New Zealand)
Andrew Kellaway (Australia)
Louis Rees-Zammit (Wales)
Marcus Smith (England)
World Rugby Coach of the Year (panel vote)
Allan Bunting/Cory Sweeney (New Zealand Women’s Sevens)
Ian Foster (New Zealand Men)
Simon Middleton (England Women)
Dave Rennie (Australia Men)
World Rugby Men’s Sevens Player of the Year (fan vote)
Napolioni Bolaca (Fiji)
Scott Curry (New Zealand)
Marcos Moneta (Argentina)
Jiuta Wainiqolo (Fiji)
World Rugby Women’s Sevens Player of the Year (fan vote)
Anne-Cécile Ciofani (France)
Sarah Hirini (New Zealand)
Alowesi Nakoci (Fiji)
Reapi Ulunisau (Fiji)
International Rugby Players Men’s Try of the Year (fan vote)
Lukhanyo Am (South Africa, v British and Irish Lions on 31 July)
Pierre-Louis Barassi (France, v Australia on 17 July)
Luke Jacobson (New Zealand, v Argentina on 12 September)
Damian Penaud (France, v Scotland on 26 March)
International Rugby Players Women’s Try of the Year (fan vote)
Sara Barattin (Italy, v Scotland on 13 September)
Emilie Boulard (France, v Wales on 3 April)
Abby Dow (England, v France on 24 April)
Romane Ménager (France, v Ireland on 17 April)
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
“ Had a higher win % than DR”
LBJ
Roar Rookie
It's irrational because we are clearly having a conversation about 2015, but you seem to only be able to talk about Cheika in 2019. I don't suspect that anyone is going to suggest that Cheika should have been a candidate for coach of the year in 2019... Even in 2015 his award could have been debated - RT's made that point well.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
IMO Android, I'd say Whitelock is by far superior to the Pom. Whitelock doesn't stand off, & wait for others to do the hard yards. He gets in & does it. That's why you hardly ever see him during the game, as he's doing it, in the tight.
WINSTON
Roar Rookie
Agreed, but to me, the biggest surprise nomination is coach Ian Foster? He has taken an extremely good side and made the into not so bad side!
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
Maybe the judges aren’t Kung Fu fans?
WINSTON
Roar Rookie
I think the article on Eben & Jordie was top drawer. Now that they are not there, I'm all for Kerevi, considering him & Quade kind of beat us (the boks), as a dynamic duo.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
WTF does that mean? 300k votes, 85% from NH, largely going for Itoje. I think Hooper is better but I will be guided by the public? It's way better if there is an esteemed panel that chooses; gives the award more kudos.
Harry Jones
Expert
It’ll take some sort of big change to make these awards credible, again.
Harry Jones
Expert
I don’t know how Jordie Barrett could’ve had a better year.
Harry Jones
Expert
So far, our lads have played best (only played well at all) when they felt disrespected. So, yes!
Android-angler Cartman-brah
Roar Rookie
Muz it's embarrassing. Even your locks are on par with Etoji
Android-angler Cartman-brah
Roar Rookie
Harry this will surely motivate our boys. Blessing in disguise.
Android-angler Cartman-brah
Roar Rookie
Let only Eng players be selected. Drop everyone else to tier 2. The winner gets to play England at Twicks.
Lindsay Amner
Roar Guru
At least DuPont played in the top club French competition and European champs and performed week in week out. Kerevi played in Japan and in sevens where he didn’t really set the world on fire. He was barely in the Aus best 7, mainly used as an impact player.
Harry Jones
Expert
Best waterboy
Harry Jones
Expert
But both only have one stinker loss.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Nah. It’s because he had multiple woeful seasons in charge. That’s why.
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Good point TWAS, stats can be construed any which way to suit the narrative but when one digs deeper as you have TWAS, the picture becomes more transparent.
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Fair enough LBJ but the bottom line for me was that Hansen was HC of a team who went back to back. Never been done before. Anyhow it’s all subjective, each have their own views and they are entitled to that.
LBJ
Roar Rookie
There is still a great deal of irrational commentary when it comes to Cheika. I suspect he just doesn't come across as private-school enough for some... Which is ironic as private school old boys are more interested in NRL these days... Anyway, I was only making the case that Cheika had a strong case when he won the coach of the year - which I think is undeniable. Rennie does not. Yet. I very much hope he does, and I'll be right there cheering him on in the RWC final...