Beauden Barrett and Portia Woodman have been named World Rugby Men’s and Women’s Player of the Year 2017.
On a night to remember in the presence of Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco and the greats of the games past and present, the rugby family celebrated some outstanding achievers.
Barrett becomes only the second player to win the prestigious award two years in a row, matching the achievement of his former All Blacks captain Richie McCaw from 2009‑10.
He received the award ahead of four other nominees in All Blacks team‑mate Rieko Ioane, England and British Lions duo Owen Farrell and Maro Itoje and Australia full‑back Israel Folau.
Meanwhile the New Zealand Women’s won their fifth Team of the Year Award, Eddie Jones won the Coach of the Year, Rieko Iowane won the Breakthrough Player of the Year, Perry Baker won the Sevens Player of the Year beating Fiji’s Jerry Tuwai, Michaela Bylde won the Women’s 7s Player of the Year,
FULL LIST OF WORLD RUGBY AWARDS WINNERS
World Rugby Men’s Player of the Year, in association with Mastercard – Beauden Barrett (New Zealand)
World Rugby Women’s Player of the Year, in association with Mastercard – Portia Woodman (New Zealand)
World Rugby Team of the Year – New Zealand Women’s 15s
World Rugby Coach of the Year – Eddie Jones (England)
World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year in association with TUDOR – Rieko Ioane (New Zealand)
World Rugby Men’s Sevens Player of the Year in association with HSBC – Perry Baker (USA)
World Rugby Women’s Sevens Player of the Year in association with HSBC – Michaela Blyde (New Zealand)
World Rugby Referee Award – Joy Neville (Ireland)
Vernon Pugh Award for Distinguished Service – Marcel Martin (France)
Award for Character – Eduardo Oderigo (Argentina)
IRPA Special Merit Award – Richie McCaw (New Zealand) and Rachael Burford (England)
IRPA Try of the Year – Joaquin Tuculet (Argentina, v England)
Source: World Rugby
