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New Zealander Ardie Savea has been named World Rugby Player of the Year
The 30-year-old third-row center was competing against South African second-row Eben Etzeth, Irish center Bende Ake and French scrum-half Antoine Dupont, who won that distinction in 2021.
Central to New Zealand’s journey to the 2023 World Cup final and Rugby Championship win, Savea, who was selected by a judging panel of former international players, follows another player in the list of third-row winners, Ireland’s Josh van der Flier.
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).
Oddly enough, the only South African world champion appears in this year’s model team: second row Eben Itzith. There are five French, five Irish and four New Zealanders, including Savia.
Even the title of coach of the year eludes Springbok coach Jack Nienaber, beaten by Andy Farrell, who led Ireland to a Grand Slam in the Six Nations.
The only accolade awarded by a public vote, the Try of the Year award, goes to powerful Scottish winger Duhan van der Merwe for his personal exploits against England earlier in the tournament.
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