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New Zealand star Ardie Savea has been named World Rugby’s men’s player of the year, despite ending up on the losing side in the Rugby World Cup final.
Savea was chosen ahead of Irish centre Bundee Aki, South Africa lock Eben Etzebeth and France captain Antoine Dupont, who won the award two years ago.
Australia’s only nominee was Maddi Levi in the women’s sevens category but she missed out to New Zealand’s Tyla Nathan-Wong.
Savea is the 11th All Black to be named world player of the year, which was first awarded in 2001. The 30-year-old was also a finalist in 2019.
Ardie Savea of New Zealand celebrates victory at full-time following the Rugby World Cup France 2023 Quarter Final match between Ireland and New Zealand at Stade de France . (Photo by Justin Setterfield – World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)
His award comes after a stellar season in which he helped New Zealand to win the Rugby Championship and a place in the World Cup final, which they lost 12-11 to the Springboks on Saturday.
“To stand out is based off the foundations of the team,” Savea said on stage
“A massive thank you to [coach] Ian Foster, my captain and my brothers this year and the last couple of years for the journey we went on.”
Later, Savea said: “I’d rather win the World Cup and send off the brothers who were playing their last games for the All Blacks with a World Cup, but hey it’s not meant to be. I’m going to go back, get around those boys and celebrate their careers.
“There a lot of hurt. I haven’t processed it yet. I think it will really hurt when I jump on the plane and it’s all quiet and spend 14 hours thinking about it. That will probably be the time it hits. It hurts, and it hurts the nation – that’s one of my worst losses.”
Andy Farrell was named coach of the year after guiding Ireland to a Six Nations grand slam and the quarter-finals of the World Cup, where they were knocked out by eventual finalists New Zealand.
New Zealand’s Ian Foster, who beat Farrell’s side in the World Cup quarter-finals, Fiji’s Simon Raiwalui, who helped the Pacific Island nation to a first quarter-final since 2007, and South Africa head coach Jacques Nienaber were the other nominees.
All Blacks winger Mark Telea won the award for breakthrough player, while Scotland’s Duhan van der Merwe won try of the year for his long-range solo effort against England during the Six Nations.
Springboks fans were bemused by the World Rugby team of the year which featured just one of the World Cup winning team – Eben Etzebeth – along with five Frenchmen, five Irishmen and four All Blacks.
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