New Zealander Ardie Savea was named FIFA World Player of the Year
Key to New Zealand’s journey to the 2023 World Cup Final and their win of the Rugby Championship, Savea, selected by an expert jury made up of former international players, succeeds another third in the line, Irishman Josh van der Tayar.
“I really appreciated his development and impact on the team last season. They were struggling and he, along with Sam Keane, embodied the leadership of the All Blacks through his influence in the group and on the pitch, as former Blues captain Thierry Dusutuyer emphasized. “Always moving forward with the ball in.” His hand. In defence, in the blocks… It’s important to have a player like this. Yesterday he was really impressive again. Unfortunately, he won’t be world champion. »
The sixth is all black
He is the sixth All Black to become FIFA Player of the Year after Richie McCaw (2006, 2009, 2010), Dan Carter (2005, 2012, 2015), Kieran Reid (2013), Brodie Retallick (2014) and Beauden Barrett (2016). , 2017). Another New Zealander has distinguished himself in the prestigious setting of the Opera Garnier: the suite Marc Tilia, this year’s global revelation. He made three tries during the World Cup, and the 26-year-old was preferred over French winger Louis-Pierre Pierre (20).
France, knocked out in the quarter-finals of ‘their’ World Cup and second in the Six Nations behind Ireland, is the most represented nation, tied with Ireland, in the record squad of the year, with five players: left-hand column Cyril Bailly. And third row Charles Ollivon, scrum-half Antoine Dupont, winger Damian Benaud and full-back Thomas Ramos.
Oddly enough, there is only one world champion from South Africa appearing there: second row Eben Etzebeth. Even the title of coach of the year eludes Springbok coach Jack Nienaber, ahead of Andy Farrell, who led Ireland to the Grand Slam in the tournament.