NZ players clean up at the global awards event

IT HASN’T been a vintage year by the All Blacks’ lofty standards but they‚ and New Zealand rugby‚ swept the World Rugby awards in Monte Carlo on Sunday night.

The Black Ferns‚ the NZ women’s team‚ made history by becoming the first female team to win the overall “Team of the Year” gong as a reward for winning the 2017 Women’s World Cup in Ireland. They beat England men and the All Blacks for the award.

The All Blacks lost two matches in 2017 – once to the British and Irish Lions and one to Australia‚ while they also drew the third Test against the Lions.

It was the first time since 2011 that the All Blacks lost more than one game in a calendar year.

All Black flyhalf Beauden Barrett, though, was named 2017 World Player of the Year‚ retaining the crown he won last year.

Barrett became 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 in 2009-10.

He received the award ahead of four other nominees in All Blacks teammate Rieko Ioane‚ England and British Lions duo Owen Farrell and Maro Itoje and Australia fullback Israel Folau.

“I’m proud and surprised,” Barrett said.

“When I hang the boots up‚ that’s when I can look back and be really proud of this.”

Blitzbok playmaker Rosko Specman lost out on the World Sevens Player of the Year award to the USA’s Perry Baker.

The American speedster was the Series’ leading try and points-scorer in 2016/17 with 57 tries and 285 points.

England mentor Eddie Jones was named World Coach of the Year after guiding England to nine wins in 10 Tests‚ their only blemish coming against Ireland in the Six Nations.

New Zealand winger Portia Woodman was named the World Rugby Women’s Player of the Year 2017 after helping the Black Ferns win a fifth Women’s Rugby World Cup title in Ireland in August.

All Black wing Ioane was named World Breakthrough Player of the Year after scoring 10 tries in 11 starts this season. — DDC