‘Very special’ - Ardie Savea wins player of the year at World Rugby Awards, Andy Farrell named best coach

Ardie Savea says he feels “very blessed and grateful” after the New Zealand back rower was named men’s 15s player of the year at the World Rugby Awards in Paris, with Ireland’s Andy Farrell winning best coach.

A day after his All Blacks side were beaten 12-11 by South Africa in the final of the World Cup, the forward joined company which includes compatriots Richie McCaw and Dan Carter as winners of the prize.

Savea, who scored three tries during the tournament in France, overcame competition from Ireland centre Bundee Aki, France captain and 2021 winner Antoine Dupont, and Springboks lock Eben Etzebeth.

Farrell’s Ireland side were knocked out by the All Blacks in the quarter-finals but the former England dual-code international led his team into the tournament as the world’s top ranked nation.

He held off competition from New Zealand’s Ian Foster, South Africa head coach Jacques Nienaber and Fiji’s Simon Raiwalui.

All Blacks wing Mark Telea was named breakthrough player of the year having scored six tries in nine Tests, while the best try of the year was awarded to Duhan van der Merwe for his solo effort in Scotland’s Six Nations win over England at Twickenham in February.

"It's very special. Very blessed and grateful to be up here,” said Savea at the ceremony in Paris.

“I guess for an individual to stand out it's based on the foundation of the team. A massive shout-out to Foz (Ian Foster), skip (captain, Sam Cane) and my brothers this year and the last couple of years, and the journey we've been through.

"I wouldn't say I'm in the same category as those guys (previous winners of the award from New Zealand) - they're legends, but I just try and go out there, fulfil the black jersey and give my best. That's all I can do and I have 14 other brothers next to me doing the same thing.”

The women’s 15s award nominees and winners will be announced later this year, following the conclusion of the inaugural WXV tournament.

The best player prizes in Sevens competition were given to Argentina’s Rodrigo Isgro and New Zealand’s Tyla Nathan-Wong.

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