Itoje shortlisted for World Rugby’s top player award
Maro Itoje has been named on the shortlist for World Rugby’s 15-a-side men’s player of the year award, but there is no place for any Springboks despite their series victory over the British and Irish Lions.
England fly-half Marcus Smith has also been included on the shortlist for breakthrough men’s player of the year, along with fellow Lions tourist Louis Rees-zammit, New Zealand wing Will Jordan and Andrew Kellaway of the Wallabies.
The women’s 15-a-side shortlist is an entirely Anglo-french affair, with England forwards Zoe Aldcroft and Poppy Cleall named alongside French backs Caroline Boujard and Laure Sansus.
Simon Middleton, the England Women’s head coach, is among the coach of the year nominees, along with the All Blacks’ Ian Foster, Australia’s Dave Rennie and Allan Bunting and Cory Sweeney, of New Zealand’s sevens.
Itoje is joined on the men’s player
of the year shortlist by France scrum-half Antoine Dupont and Australians Michael Hooper and Samu Kerevi as the Wallabies are rewarded for their resurgence under Rennie, which featured backto-back victories over South Africa.
The absence of South African representation comes in spite of a 2-1 series victory over Warren Gatland’s Lions as well as a 31-29 triumph against the All Blacks last month. However, centre Lukhanyo Am is up for try of the year, for his score against the Lions for South Africa A, set up by the brilliance of Cheslin Kolbe.
Itoje’s nomination is his third, following his recognition in 2016 and 2017.
Meanwhile, Ireland captain Johnny Sexton has been ruled out for up to six weeks after twisting an ankle and knee during Saturday’s 29-20 win over New Zealand.