Wallabies coach Dave Rennie and outstanding back Andrew Kellaway have missed out on World Rugby awards on Wednesday.
All Blacks winger Will Jordan, 23, claimed the Breakthrough Player of the Year award in a stacked field that inlcuded Kellaway, Louis Rees-Zammit of Wales and the world’s most talked about youngster – England’s Marcus Smith.
Jordan scored 15 tries in his 11 Tests this year, only failing top cross in two of them and his tally was boosted with five against Tonga and a hat-trick against the United States in two devastating All Blacks romps.
But it wasn’t only his try-scoring exploits that saw him stand out, with Jordan impressing off the ball to unlock defences for teammates with regularity.
Jordan is the third All Black to win the award after Nehe Milner-Skudder in 2015 and Rieko Ioane in 2017.
Rennie and All Blacks coach Ian Foster missed out on that award with a historic win in the category by England’s Simon Middleton, who became the first coach of a women’s team to claim the award.
The 55-year-old helped England win a third successive Six Nations title in April before the Red Roses claimed record wins against New Zealand in the autumn.
He told BBC Sport being the first women’s coach to win was “significant”.
“Hopefully it opens the door to anybody else who should be considered,” Middleton said.
“It adds another layer of credibility on to where we’re trying to get to, elevating the game.”
The Red Roses won all four of their autumn Tests to take their current winning run to 18 games.
Middleton’s side are ranked number one in the world and are set to be one of the favourites when New Zealand hosts the World Cup in 2022 – a trophy the coach says “is the holy grail” for England.
The decision came a week after World Rugby promised to “increase the pace of women’s rugby development” with a plan including a focus on player welfare and the launch of a new global competition.
Middleton said he hopes support can be given to develop more female coaches in the sport “so that one day there is a female head coach of the England women’s team”.
France Damian Penaud’s, who finished off a stunning all-round effort against Scotland in the Six Nations, won men’s try of the year.
The women’s was scored by Emilie Boulard.
The player of the year award will be named later this week.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Come on Danny, where did I ever say Razor's record was not as good. He's the one that should be there, as he's had international experience, even if it was only at age group, & I'm pretty sure he has the ability, like Tony Brown, etc , to take that extra step. No need to twist it, for your own benefit Mate.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Yep I hope Razor keeps him at FB. He has a attacking presents that JB will never have.
Danny McGowan
Roar Rookie
Read Oliver’s mate, probably like you I a bit of a tragic with rugby and read a hell of a lot. And Oliver actually confirmed what I thought of Deans, he was good coach, but perhaps not a good selector, he had been very successful with Crusaders , but being a great super coach doesn’t always make a great test coach. As I said, I not into Rennie vs Foster coaching as we will never know who is better. Foster certainly has a better record head to head at international level, and Rennies has a pretty average one, but we all know that’s not just about who is better coach. Bottom line is Rennie never stood as AB coach, same as my preferred (from what I have seen) coach which would be Jame Joseph. But I don’t know anymore than you what happened when coach was appointed , so me saying I prefer JJ with Tony Brown is just an uninformed perference we is all any of us have from outside .
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Ok , sorry Danny, that I worded it that way, but in all honesty, I was referring to the difference, between Foster & Rennie, as the previous posts show. But on the NZRFU, my reference to cleaning out, is why the best coach in the Dominion didn't get the job, along with many others that have had better credentials, than Foster. If you think Robbie Deans did a good job, as assistant coach for the AB's, then can I suggest you read Anton Oliver's book, ' I Anton Oliver' . A very good read, by one that many in the NZRFU, were chasing after, when he finished his playing days. After all he was Franks son.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Ok thanks Jacko, but IMO & many of my mates, he's still a work in progress, ( Ioane ) in that position. He needs a proper coach, like he had under Titchjens, to exploit, what he's got. As far as Jordan goes, well Bro, he never got a run, by Foster, at Fullback. Take notice this upcoming Super Rugby season, how possibly Razor gives him a go, unless Razor is told from a higher source, to leave him at wing, which as we know can happen. But IMO, give him a go at the back, as his vision, timing, support, plus a few other things are really great.
Danny McGowan
Roar Rookie
Ok mate maybe my bad but your actual post said TBH Danny, Rennie is a far better coach than what we have in Aotearoa. Being realistic, it’s the NZRFU, that needs a clean out. And I took it as what you said mate. He was a better coach than than we have in NZ. No probs with thinking he better than Foster, I thought you were a bit harsh on our other coaches is all. :silly: By the way the one other thing you did have wrong , is the records of both coaches, Rennie has won 2 Super comps , Foster has won 2 rugby championships and held Bledisloe over 2 years. So unfortunately, I not sure that even helps in the discussion. I actually believe Rennie is a very good coach as I said, but not quite the messiah, I have seen this stuff with Robbie Deans taking over Wallabies and how quick everyone turned on him when he struggled.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Chiefs fan Muzzo not Blues fan but I like what Reiko is doing at centre. I think he's still a work in progress but if it works he could be very good. Jordan needs to show his worth at fullback. He had a mixed season there this year in SR. He has some serious skills tho.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Im not sold on him yet Phantom. He's very solid but I want more than solid.
biltong
Guest
I am assuming only South Africa had home referees then, eh? Any old excuse will do it seems.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Yeh right, Jordan does little off the ball mate? TBH, Foster never gave him a shot at Fullback, where no doubt Razor will exploit that part of his game, come next year's Super Rugby. His vision, timing, speed, support etc etc are exceptional. But no doubt, as it sounds, you being a Blues fan, can't see that. Ioane, ( Reiko) is a winger, not a midfielder at this stage. as his passing , ( no look passing at that) has been shocking. He needs a coach that can spend time with him, like Titchjens, to get him on the right track.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Not only them O Ghost, but at the time, we all had problems.
Phantom
Roar Rookie
Only at home did the boks have a superior record. With their own refs and all that it entails.
Phantom
Roar Rookie
JB is unlucky to not be in the player of the year award.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Yes ATM, not including Razor, or some others of his nous. I was actually referring to the original issue's between Rennie & Foster!! To which Rennie is far the better. As it is I have had experience in coaching, but not at that level, I've even been involved in a voluntary capacity on management level with the Sydney Subbies Union, & as it was I never said he was better than those you mentioned. Ffs it is between Rennie & Foster..
Danny McGowan
Roar Rookie
Of course I have, I will be honest, and Rennie has done well, I not saying otherwise, but you also have to give credit to pathways in Oz for these young players coming through, you have watched how successful their U20s have been over last few years haven't you? As I say I not knocking Rennie who I like as coach, has whanau in his squads in past, and I believe they in position to judge. But like it or not his overall record doesn't come close to say Razor Robertson a NZ coach that you said was not as good. And I add I not saying Razor is better, but his record certainly is!
Danny McGowan
Roar Rookie
I not arguing who is better Muzzo, you clearly said Rennie was better than any coach we got in NZ, so I asked why you thought he was better than the coaches I named. I never brave enough to say who is better coach and who should be coaching any team, I have been involved in appointing too many coaches during my time in rugby, (and I repeating what I said) and generally had a lot of “experts” who have no idea what went on in appointing them etc to try and say I could judge who is best from watchig games on tv and not talking to players involved etc to find out how good or bad a coach is. Look you may have that ability, but you would be only person I know of who has!
Danny McGowan
Roar Rookie
Schmit is not really interested in International teams at moment, he concerned with being there for his son!
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Time will tell, as Schmidt, will be an assistant coach at the Blues.
Spew_81
Roar Rookie
The time period that matters is the last game and the next game. Things don't look good at the moment. Schmidt could be useful, big brain. But he seems like a bit of a old fashion coach. Some of the Irish players have said that he negatively affected their mental state. So maybe Schmidt would better as an assistant coach/advisor than head coach? How he goes with the Blues in 2022 will be a good indicator whether he can work with the younger generation of players.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Spew Bro, I'm not really into selective periods of time, as IMO, it's the overall record. Like the Irish, they actually took over 100 years to beat us, under the directive of fellow Kiwi Joe Schmidt. Also it took the Puma's approx 50 years to achieve their first success. ( Geez & then Foster has been involved with all, starting off under Shag ) Actually I think that even Schmidt's name should be thrown into the hat now.