The year of the Black Fern
It was the year of the Black Fern at the 2017 World Rugby Awards.
The New Zealand women dominated at the ceremony held in Monaco, with three awards going the way of Kiwi teams and players.
For the first time in history, World Rugby’s team of the year was awarded to a women’s side, as the World Cup winning Black Ferns took home the trophy.
Incredible winger Portia Woodman claimed the women’s player of the year award for her displays in that tournament, while Michaela Blyde also won the women’s sevens player of the year for her efforts in the World Series winning side.
When the Black Ferns were called for team of the year, loud ‘woo-hoos’ could be heard as women’s sevens player of the year finalist Ruby Tui provided a soundtrack to their success.
It was a night of celebration all round for the New Zealand women.
‘‘It’s been an awesome last couple of months,’’ Woodman said when accepting the team of the year title alongside Kelly Brazier.
‘‘The reception we got when we got home from the World Cup was like nothing we’ve ever seen before. The support from the country and from around the world has been tremendous. It’s been awesome.’’
Brazier said it was the hard work put in by the team that led to the World Cup win, and recognition at the World Rugby Awards.
‘‘I think the amount of work put in by our coaches, management, a lot of stuff behind the scenes. They were always one step ahead and that was a key part to our success.’’
Woodman went on to say that the success and rise of women’s rugby has seen them join the national conversation, and it’s ‘‘the best thing for’’ the game.
The 26-year-old was on stage again only minutes later, collecting the award for women’s player of the year, presented by All Blacks legend Dan Carter.
‘‘Obviously winning the team of the year award just shows how good our team is and, honestly, they make me look good.’’
Blyde scored 40 tries in the World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series this season, essentially replacing Woodman on the wing while she pursued her 15-a-side interests.
With Blyde in blistering form, the sevens sisters won back the World Series title they had lost to Australia in 2016.
She said she almost felt ‘‘mean’’ winning the award, given how good her team mates are.
‘‘I think for me, winning the... award, I’m so grateful, absolutely humbled,’’ Blyde said.
‘‘I feel a little bit, I guess you could say a little bit mean because I just sit on the wing and score all the tries for the girls.
‘‘The ones in the middle, Ruby Tui, Tyla Nathan-Wong, are doing all the hard yards, creating all the space for me on the outside, so this is a credit to them.’’
The only title New Zealand women missed out on was the try of the year, of which Woodman was a nominee, but Argentinian Joaquin Tuculet won in a public vote.