Players of year etc awards

Lifted this from the WR site. In what has been another weird year the shortlists are below. Not sure there's anyone who sticks out, Dupont was a bit quieter this year, possibly I'd go Kerevi and Will Jordan for the 15 mens awards.


WORLD RUGBY AWARDS 2021 NOMINEES

World Rugby Men’s 15s Player of the Year in association with Mastercard (fan vote)

Antoine Dupont (France)
Michael Hooper (Australia)
Maro Itoje (England/British and Irish Lions)
Samu Kerevi (Australia)

Australia captain Michael Hooper – who became his country’s most-capped captain in September – and England’s Maro Itoje have both previously been nominated for the Award, but lively scrum-half Antoine Dupont becomes the first Frenchman to be nominated since 2012 while Samu Kerevi is rewarded for his impactful return to the Wallabies midfield in 2021 which saw them win five tests, their best run outside of a Rugby World Cup year since 2008.

World Rugby Women’s 15s Player of the Year in association with Mastercard (fan vote)

Zoe Aldcroft (England)
Caroline Boujard (France)
Poppy Cleall (England)
Laure Sansus (France)

Four first-time nominees in this category representing the two teams that have led the way in women’s rugby in 2021. Poppy Cleall and Zoe Aldcroft are two powerhouses of the England pack, both comfortable in either the second row and back row, while Caroline Boujard scored what is believed to be the joint-fastest hat-trick in Women’s Six Nations history against Wales in April. Laure Sansus’ selection, meanwhile, make it three years in a row that a French scrum-half has been nominated for the prestigious award.

World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year in association with Tudor (panel vote)

Will Jordan (New Zealand)
Andrew Kellaway (Australia)
Louis Rees-Zammit (Wales)
Marcus Smith (England)

Three flying wingers and an exciting talent at fly-half who have all lit up the international stage over the last year. Will Jordan is the second-fastest All Black to 15 test tries and has only failed to score in two of his 12 tests, while Andrew Kellaway is closing in on the Australian record for most tries in a debut season with eight in 12 tests in 2021. Louis Rees-Zammit became the youngest British and Irish Lion player for more than 50 years after impressing for Wales, while Marcus Smith has looked like a veteran in the England No.10 jersey since his debut in July.

World Rugby Coach of the Year (panel vote)

Allan Bunting/Cory Sweeney (New Zealand Women’s Sevens)
Ian Foster (New Zealand Men)
Simon Middleton (England Women)
Dave Rennie (Australia Men)

All first-time nominees split across sevens and 15s, Allan Bunting and Cory Sweeney led New Zealand to Olympic gold in Tokyo, the one remaining accolade they were missing, while Simon Middleton led England to another Women’s Six Nations title and back-to-back record victories over world champions New Zealand in 2021. Ian Foster coached New Zealand to Rugby Championship and Bledisloe Cup success in a record-breaking year, while Dave Rennie has injected youth and experience into a Wallabies side that won five matches in a row, two of them against world champions South Africa.

World Rugby Men’s Sevens Player of the Year in association with HSBC (fan vote)

Napolioni Bolaca (Fiji)
Scott Curry (New Zealand)
Marcos Moneta (Argentina)
Jiuta Wainiqolo (Fiji)

The nominees blend the guile and experience of New Zealand’s co-captain and talisman Scott Curry to the fresh exuberance of youth of Argentina’s Marcos Moneta, the top try-scorer with six in Tokyo. Fiji continue their proud record of having at least one player among the nominees from 2013 onwards with two gold medallists in Napolioni Bolaca and Jiuta Wainiqolo, the latter marking his Fiji debut in a global sevens tournament with the opening try of Tokyo 2020 to quickly announce himself to the world.

World Rugby Women’s Sevens Player of the Year in association with HSBC (fan vote)

Anne-Cécile Ciofani (France)
Sarah Hirini (New Zealand)
Alowesi Nakoci (Fiji)
Reapi Ulunisau (Fiji)

New Zealand’s inspirational captain Sarah Hirini led the Black Ferns Sevens to the Olympic gold that had driven them on for the last five years, while Anne-Cécile Ciofani was a standout for France on the way to silver. Two players who helped inspire Fiji become their nation’s first female Olympic medallists are also nominated in Alowesi Nakoci and Reapi Ulunisau, the latter belying the fact it was her debut in a global tournament by finishing as top try-scorer with eight, including a record four against Brazil in the pool stage.

International Rugby Players Men’s Try of the Year (fan vote)

Lukhanyo Am (South Africa A, v British and Irish Lions on 14 July)
Pierre-Louis Barassi (France, v Australia on 17 July)
Luke Jacobson (New Zealand, v Argentina on 12 September)
Damian Penaud (France, v Scotland on 26 March)

Three tries that began deep in their own 22 from a free-kick or scrum and were quickly turned into tries after free-flowing attacks and the fourth a run back from a clearing kick to halfway. Damian Penaud’s try against Scotland in the Six Nations saw the winger gather his own chip dot down, while France team-mate Pierre-Louis Barassi finished off a move that had begun five metres from their own line against Australia in July. Cheslin Kolbe’s dancing feet and offload released Lukhanyo Am to score for South Africa A against the British and Irish Lions, while an outrageous offload from Beauden Barrett was gratefully received by Luke Jacobson to finish another flowing move from the All Blacks in The Rugby Championship against Argentina.

International Rugby Players Women’s Try of the Year (fan vote)

Sara Barattin (Italy, v Scotland on 13 September)
Emilie Boulard (France, v Wales on 3 April)
Abby Dow (England, v France on 30 April)
Romane Ménager (France, v Ireland on 17 April)

Two French tries in the Women’s Six Nations, one to round out an impressive debut from Emilie Boulard late on against Wales when she finished off a slick passing move in the corner and the other another run-in from back-row Romane Ménager against Ireland. England swung the ball wide quickly from a lineout to find Abby Dow, the winger running around the outside of the defender to race in against hosts France a week after their Six Nations final triumph. The final nominee comes from the RWC 2021 Europe Qualifier, hosts Italy stealing an overthrown Scottish lineout near halfway to quickly send Sara Barattin over near the posts.

After a special edition in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the prestigious World Rugby Awards return in 2021 to celebrate on-field achievements of the calendar year and recognise the teams and individuals who have inspired players and fans around the world. The pandemic has continued to impact the international stage with a number of teams having only returned to test rugby in the last couple of months.

Placed at the end of the November international window, the biggest accolades in rugby union will be virtually handed to their recipients from 6-10 December. The 12 categories will be unveiled on World Rugby social media channels including Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube (@WorldRugby).

The other categories to be awarded next month are the World Rugby Referee Award, the Vernon Pugh Award for Distinguished Service and the World Rugby Men’s and Women's 15s Dream Teams of the Year in association with Capgemini.

World Rugby Chairman Sir Bill Beaumont said: “The World Rugby Awards are the ultimate accolade for rugby, and we are delighted to honour the outstanding players and individuals who have made an impact on our game on and off the field in 2021.

“The pandemic and its consequences have restricted several unions from playing international games this year and we recognise that not all rugby stars have had a chance to shine. Nevertheless, the World Rugby Awards Panel has done an amazing job in selecting suitable candidates in each category and I would like to congratulate all nominees who, deservingly, have been shortlisted for this year’s awards.”

Coach of the year seems a joke.  Each coach did as expected.  Not sure what DR did.  Yes He beat SA but lost badly to NZ and not done much in the summer or AI tours.  Would say Pivac more worthy and he was lucky

Will Jordan should win breakout player.  Head and shoulders above the rest.

Regarding player of the season seems to be picking teams we want then pick player from there.

Did a player who played second tier club rugby, At test level played for a team that finished 5/6 and lost a tour 2/1 deserve to be picked on performance.  Seems they wanted a Lion and just picked Maro.  Surely Jones had a better year on form as have others.

Oz players are interesting considering they did well against SA twice, rest was poor.  Even the Japan win looks less impressive.  Not sure how there are two over no AB such as Rieko Ioane

Jonny Sexton has been player of the year. He has had a terrific season. Still a class above all other out halves in the NH albeit Mo'unga and Pollard have had a good year too.

The short list is a bit weird, Itoje is obviously a great player but he had a very poor six nations campaign by his standards both in terms of personal performances and his team. Hooper has been great but I reckon Hamish Watson has been better. No major issues with Kerevi and Dupont. I think it will be Dupont.

Anyone know why Marcus Smith is on the breakthrough player list? Dont you have to have actually had to have broken through to the international side to make the list. I mean he played in two B level tests during the summer v USA and Canada and one Nov international v Australia. Is that what qualifies now? Madness. I think Jordan will win.

I think it would actually pee a lot of Kiwis off if Ian Foster wins coach of the year as he gets a lot of stick there however, he has done quite well in my view and I think he will win.

Collapse2005 wrote:Jonny Sexton has been player of the year. He has had a terrific season. Still a class above all other out halves in the NH albeit Mo'unga and Pollard have had a good year too.

The short list is a bit weird, Itoje is obviously a great player but he had a very poor six nations campaign by his standards both in terms of personal performances and his team. Hooper has been great but I reckon Hamish Watson has been better. No major issues with Kerevi and Dupont. I think it will be Dupont.

Anyone know why Marcus Smith is on the breakthrough player list? Dont you have to have actually had to have broken through to the international side to make the list. I mean he played in two B level tests during the summer v USA and Canada and one Nov international v Australia. Is that what qualifies now? Madness. I think Jordan will win.

I think it would actually pee a lot of Kiwis off if Ian Foster wins coach of the year as he gets a lot of stick there however, he has done quite well in my view and I think he will win.

I was thinking this too - a talented player there is no doubt but he's hardly done anything for England this year. Especially when you compare him to others on that list.

I would like to throw Duhan VDM's name into that mix too - 10 Scotland caps this year and 8 tries, plus 3 Test caps for the Lions. Fair to say that should be classed as breakthrough!

Looking at the awards generally it's a bit of a nonsense that SA have no representation at all.

Agree on all points RDW

Rugby awards are often a mess. In theory, the awards are supposed to relate only to performances in games played in the specific competitions (e.g European Cup, Six Nations, Test rugby). The average supporter doesn't think of players in such discrete terms and, evidently, neither do the judging panels.

It's not even twelve months since the end of the 2020 Rugby Championship, during which New Zealand lost to Argentina and Australia. I suspect those games are not supposed to be considered for this award, since they are last season, and yet they were probably a factor in the lack of All Black candidates for Mens Player of the Year.

It's never really clear whether the Autumn International matches are to be fully taken into account, as the short list is always released before the series is concluded. If Rees-Zammit plays a blinder next weekend, while Smith and Jordan have feet of clay then it's bound to have some influence, even if the award rules say otherwise.

As others have noted, the lack of Springboks seems daft.

A bit of info on the voting panels;

World Rugby Awards Voting Panel
The World Rugby Awards panels comprise of international past players and coaches, World Rugby Hall of Fame inductees and rugby media. The following members vote on the respective Awards.

World Rugby Men’s 15s Player of the Year in partnership with Mastercard
Maggie Alphonsi (ENG)
Fiona Coghlan (IRE)
Thierry Dusautoir (FRA)
George Gregan (AUS)
Richie McCaw (NZL)
Brian O’Driscoll (IRE)
Melodie Robinson (NZL)
John Smit (RSA)
Clive Woodward (ENG)

World Rugby Women’s 15s Player of the Year in partnership with Mastercard
Liza Burgess (WAL)
Lynne Cantwell (IRE)
Fiona Coghlan (IRE)
Stephen Jones (The Sunday Times)
Gaëlle Mignot (FRA)
Jillion Potter (USA)
Melodie Robinson (NZL)
Karl Te Nana (NZL)
Danielle Waterman (ENG)

World Rugby Men's 15s Dream Team of the Year in partnership with Capgemini
Maggie Alphonsi (ENG)
Fiona Coghlan (IRE)
Thierry Dusautoir (FRA)
George Gregan (AUS)
Richie McCaw (NZL)
Brian O’Driscoll (IRE)
Melodie Robinson (NZL)
John Smit (RSA)
Clive Woodward (ENG)

World Rugby Women's 15s Dream Team of the Year in partnership with Capgemini
Liza Burgess (WAL)
Lynne Cantwell (IRE)
Fiona Coghlan (IRE)
Stephen Jones (ENG)
Gaelle Mignot (FRA)
Jillion Potter (USA)
Melodie Robinson (NZL)
Karl Te Nana (NZL)
Danielle Waterman (ENG)

World Rugby Coach of the Year
Maggie Alphonsi (ENG)
Nick Mallett (RSA)
Brian O’Driscoll (IRE)
Clive Woodward (ENG)

World Rugby Referee Award
Head of Match officials
High Performance Sevens Referee Manager
Chairman High Performance Rugby Committee
Chairman Professional Game Committee

International Rugby Players Try of the Year
Conrad Smith (NZL, Chair)
Rachel Burford (ENG)
Thierry Dusautoir (FRA)
Fiao'o Faamausili (NZL)
Bryan Habana (RSA)
Jamie Heaslip (IRE)

World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year in partnership with Tudor
Felipe Contepomi (ARG)
Fiao'o Faamausili (NZL)
Bryan Habana (RSA)
Jamie Heaslip (IRE)

World Rugby Women's Sevens Player of the Year in partnership with HSBC
Humphrey Kayange (KEN)
Tiana Penitani (AUS)
Karl Te Nana (NZL)
Marika Vunibaka (FIJ)
Danielle Waterman (ENG)

World Rugby Men’s Sevens Player of the Year in partnership with HSBC
Humphrey Kayange (KEN)
Tiana Penitani (AUS)
Karl Te Nana (NZL)
Marika Vunibaka (FIJ)
Danielle Waterman (ENG)

Award for Character
Bill Beaumont (World Rugby Chairman)
David Carrigy (World Rugby Head of Development and International Relations)
Alan Gilpin (World Rugby Chief Executive)

Vernon Pugh Award for Distinguished Service
Bill Beaumont (World Rugby Chairman)
David Carrigy (World Rugby Head of Development and International Relations)
Alan Gilpin (World Rugby Chief Executive)

International Rugby Players Special Merit
International Rugby Players representatives

Also, if anyone wants to actually vote in the fan categories;

https://www.world.rugby/tournaments/awards/fan-vote

Can't really see anything on the criteria used, is it just internationals? between what two dates?

I thought there was stuff in the past that it was international matches and they could only pick from playings who received player of the match awards, but that might just be hearsay.

Collapse2005 wrote:Jonny Sexton has been player of the year. He has had a terrific season. Still a class above all other out halves in the NH albeit Mo'unga and Pollard have had a good year too.

The short list is a bit weird, Itoje is obviously a great player but he had a very poor six nations campaign by his standards both in terms of personal performances and his team. Hooper has been great but I reckon Hamish Watson has been better. No major issues with Kerevi and Dupont. I think it will be Dupont.

Anyone know why Marcus Smith is on the breakthrough player list? Dont you have to have actually had to have broken through to the international side to make the list. I mean he played in two B level tests during the summer v USA and Canada and one Nov international v Australia. Is that what qualifies now? Madness. I think Jordan will win.

I think it would actually pee a lot of Kiwis off if Ian Foster wins coach of the year as he gets a lot of stick there however, he has done quite well in my view and I think he will win.

Pollard has been distinctly average this year, he has been out of form this whole season, not only with his goal kicking, but his decision making on the field and his tactical kicking. No chance of him being up for any awards.

For player of the year, my vote would be to Hooper without a doubt.

Coach of the year, meh, nah, nobody

Old Man wrote:

Collapse2005 wrote:Jonny Sexton has been player of the year. He has had a terrific season. Still a class above all other out halves in the NH albeit Mo'unga and Pollard have had a good year too.

The short list is a bit weird, Itoje is obviously a great player but he had a very poor six nations campaign by his standards both in terms of personal performances and his team. Hooper has been great but I reckon Hamish Watson has been better. No major issues with Kerevi and Dupont. I think it will be Dupont.

Anyone know why Marcus Smith is on the breakthrough player list? Dont you have to have actually had to have broken through to the international side to make the list. I mean he played in two B level tests during the summer v USA and Canada and one Nov international v Australia. Is that what qualifies now? Madness. I think Jordan will win.

I think it would actually pee a lot of Kiwis off if Ian Foster wins coach of the year as he gets a lot of stick there however, he has done quite well in my view and I think he will win.

Pollard has been distinctly average this year, he has been out of form this whole season, not only with his goal kicking, but his decision making on the field and his tactical kicking. No chance of him being up for any awards.

Sexton & Pollard....2021 awards

Has to be Dupont, this guy is unreal pretty much every time he takes the field. I must admit, the rest of the awards don't hold a lot of interest so what ever really.

Well in fairness I probably only saw half of Pollards games, Sexton though has been outstanding all year.

I see Rassie has once again been overlooked for the prestigious "Water Carrier of the Year" award.

Irish Londoner wrote:I see Rassie has once again been overlooked for the prestigious "Water Carrier of the Year" award.

He is bringing out a video next week, with slow mo footage and everything.

On the House of Rugby podcast, Will Greenwood said he was on the panel once, and explained how the list comes about.

The judges watch all matches and pick three standout players, giving three points to the best, two to the next man, and one to the third. you add up the season totals, and get your shortlist. He noted this structure can work against a team with several standout players. Across the Springboks matches, the points might easily get shared between Am, Kolisi, de Allende, Etzebeth etc such that some inevitably score nothing for some matches. Meanwhile, Itoje and Dupont could easily have picked up at least a point in every match they played.

It's another indication of Rugby's inability to market itself that this methodology has never been properly spelled out. Most current and former players, as well as most rugby commentators, seem unaware that's the way the list is drawn up.

Jordan unsurprisingly wins breakthrough.

WR junket;

World Rugby Awards 2021 Winners (#WorldRugbyAwards)

Play Video
World Rugby Referee Award: Andrew Cole (Australia)

Andrew Cole refereed 44 Super Rugby games and 31 test matches from 1997-2005. The Australian’s test debut was Samoa v Tonga in 1997 with his final test being Ireland v Romania eight years later. He also refereed the second test between New Zealand and the British and Irish Lions in 2005. Selected as a referee for Rugby World Cup 1999 and 2003, he was a referee selector from 2012 through RWC 2015. Cole was head coach of referees at Rugby Australia from 2010-17 and is a Life Member of the Queensland Rugby Referees’ Association.

Play Video
International Rugby Players Men’s Try of the Year: Damian Penaud (France, v Scotland on 26 March)

Going from one 22 to another, France fashioned a score for the ages against Scotland in their delayed Six Nations matches at the Stade de France. Taking a quick tap from a marked box kick, full-back Brice Dulin set off on an electrifying run before finding Romain Ntamack and Arthur Vincent in support. Antoine Dupont swiftly transferred the ball away from the breakdown and Virimi Vakatawa drew the defence before offloading to Damian Penaud whose footballing skills – including a chip, case and dribble – took him over in the corner for a wonderful try.

Nominees: Lukhanyo Am (South Africa A, v British and Irish Lions on 14 July), Pierre-Louis Barassi (France, v Australia on 17 July), Luke Jacobson (New Zealand, v Argentina on 12 September)

Play Video
International Rugby Players Women’s Try of the Year: Emilie Boulard (France, v Wales on 3 April)

Trailing 43-0 with under three minutes to play, Wales managed to clear their lines but only to near halfway where hat-trick scorer Caroline Boujard fielded the kick and immediately found Jessy Trémoulière. France worked the ball out to Emilie Boulard on the left wing, the debutant full-back finding Maëlle Filopon on the loop around to take play into the Welsh 22. The centre passed inside to Camille Imart, who drew the defence before passing back out to Boulard to go over in the corner.

Nominees: Sara Barattin (Italy, v Scotland on 13 September), Abby Dow (England, v France on 30 April), Romane Ménager (France, v Ireland on 17 April)

World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year 2021 in association with Tudor: Will Jordan (New Zealand)

One of a number of young wingers to announce their arrival on the world stage over the last 12 months, Will Jordan caught the eye not just for his try-scoring exploits for the All Blacks but also his work off the ball, unlocking defences for team-mates with regularity. A record of 15 tries in 11 tests in 2021, including five against Tonga and a hat-trick against USA saw him become the second-fastest All Black to reach 15 tries. Jordan only failed to score in two matches and given his phenomenal strike-rate, had he been available for all 15 tests that the All Blacks played in 2021, it’s likely he would have got the two tries he needed to set a new All Blacks record. He is the third All Black to win this award after Nehe Milner-Skudder (2015) and Rieko Ioane (2017).

Nominees: Andrew Kellaway (Australia), Louis Rees-Zammit (Wales), Marcus Smith (England)

World Rugby Coach of the Year 2021: Simon Middleton (England Women)

Simon Middleton creates history as the first coach of a women’s team to win the prestigious award, having guided the Red Roses through a second successive calendar year unbeaten and 18 tests wins in a row, including back-to-back record wins over world champions New Zealand in November. Middleton, in his seventh year as England head coach, saw his side score 57 tries and concede only 10 in 2021 as they added another Women’s Six Nations title to their honours roll.

Nominees: Allan Bunting/Cory Sweeney (New Zealand Women’s Sevens), Ian Foster (New Zealand Men), Dave Rennie (Australia Men)