New Zealand's Ardi Savea has been named FIFA World Player of the Year.
New Zealand's Ardie Savea has been named the 2023 World Rugby Player of the Year at the World Rugby Awards, which took place in Paris on Sunday, a day after South Africa's 12-11 World Cup final win over the All Blacks. The 30-year-old third-row centre was competing against South Africa's second-row Eben Etzeth, Ireland's centre Bendi Aki and French scrum-half Antoine Dupont, who won the distinction in 2021.
A jury of experts made up of former international players.
Essential in New Zealand's journey to the World Cup final 2023 World Cup and Rugby Championship winner Savea, selected by a jury of former internationals, is joined on the list of winners by another third-rower, Ireland's Josh van der Vlier. “I really appreciate his development and his impact on the team last season, they were struggling and he, along with Sam Keane, has embodied the leadership of the All Blacks through his impact in the group and on the pitch,” former Blues captain Thierry Dussautoire told several media outlets including AFP.
“He's always moving forward, with the ball in his hand, in defence, in the lines… It's important to have a player like that. Yesterday (Saturday) again he was really impressive. Unfortunately, he won't be world champion,” added the legend (80 selections between 2006 and 2015).
6th crowned all lions
He is the sixth All Black to be named World Player of the Year after Richie McCaw (2006, 2009, 2010), Dan Carter (2005, 2012, 2015), Kieran Read (2013), Brodie Retallick (2014) and Beauden Barrett (2016, 2017). Another New Zealander has graced the prestigious Opéra Garnier: winger Mark Tilea, this year’s World Player of the Year. He scored three tries during the World Cup and, at 26, was preferred to French winger Louis-Piel-Pierre (20).
France, knocked out in the quarter-finals of their own World Cup and second in the Six Nations behind Ireland, are the most represented nation, tied with Ireland in this year's Team of the Year with five players: left-back Cyril Bailly, third-row Charles Ollivon, scrum-half Antoine Dupont, winger Damien Penaud and full-back Thomas Ramos.
Only one South African world champion in the model team
Curiously, there is only one South African world champion featured there: second-string Eben Etzebeth. Even the Coach of the Year title eludes Springbok coach Jack Nienaber, who beats Andy Farrell, who led Ireland to four major tournaments.
The only accolade awarded by public vote, the Try of the Year award, goes to powerful Scotland winger Duhan van der Merwe for his individual exploits against England at the start of the tournament. The women’s rugby union awards will be presented later, at the end of the WXV, a new international tournament created by World Rugby, which finishes on November 4.
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