Ardie Savea named World Rugby Men’s 15s Player of the Year

Ardie Savea has been named World Rugby Men’s 15s Player of the Year in partnership with Mastercard at the 2023 World Rugby Awards at the Opéra Garnier in Paris.

Savea’s award came just hours after the All Blacks loss to South Africa in the Rugby World Cup final at Stade de France with the loose forward one three New Zealanders to scoop major awards on the night and eight to be nominated.

Black Ferns Sevens player Tyla Nathan-Wong was named World Rugby Women’s Sevens Player of the Year in partnership with HSBC, while All Blacks wing Mark Tele’a edged out fellow nomine Tamaiti Williams to be named the World Rugby Men’s 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year in partnership with Tudor.

Savea, who started all 12 of the All Blacks Tests in 2023, including six at the Rugby World Cup in France, edged out Bundee Aki (Ireland), Antoine Dupont (France), and Eben Etzebeth (South Africa) for the top men’s award.

The other New Zealander on the podium at the awards was former All Black Dan Carter, who was one of five Rugby World Cup legends inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame. Carter, who played 112 Tests for the All Blacks joined fellow inductees Thierry Dusautoir (France), George Smith (Australia), Juan Martín Hernández (Argentina) and Bryan Habana (South Africa).

New Zealand Rugby CEO Mark Robinson said:

“Congratulations to all of the nominees and winners. To have eight New Zealanders nominated for awards is a reflection of the efforts of a large number of people in rugby. We are incredibly proud of them all and to see Ardie, Tyla and Mark acknowledged for their efforts is a special way to end the year.”

Of the 11 awards presented in Paris, nine were selected by the star-studded World Rugby Awards panels, while the International Rugby Players Men’s Try of the Year was decided by a fan vote on social media.

Nominees and winners in a further four women’s categories will be announced and celebrated separately, at the conclusion of the ongoing WXV tournament that represents a major milestone for the sport.

Meanwhile four All Blacks, Savea, lock Scott Barrett, first-five Richie Mo’unga, and wing Will Jordan were named in the World Rugby Men’s 15s Dream Team of the Year in partnership with Capgemini.

World Rugby Men's 15s Player of the Year in partnership with Mastercard – Ardie Savea (New Zealand) 

Ardie Savea may have narrowly failed to join his brother Julian as a Rugby World Cup winner, but the number eight has been the standout performer for the All Blacks in 2023, starting all bar one of New Zealand's 12 tests and six at France 2023. The 30-year-old's tireless work-rate often makes it appear there is more than one of him on the pitch and his try-scoring performance in the quarter-final defeat of Ireland was one for the ages as New Zealand stunned the world number one side.
 
Nominees: Bundee Aki (Ireland), Antoine Dupont (France), Eben Etzebeth (South Africa) 

World Rugby Men's 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year in partnership with Tudor – Mark Tele'a (New Zealand)

Mark Tele’a burst onto the international scene with a double against Scotland at Murrayfield last November and hasn’t looked back, scoring six tries in nine tests for the All Blacks. The winger took less than two minutes to cross for the opening try of Rugby World Cup 2023, one of two he scored against hosts France that night. Tele’a started four of New Zealand’s matches at RWC 2023 and proved a constant threat across the pitch.

Nominees: Louis Bielle-Biarrey (France), Manie Libbok (South Africa), Tamaiti Williams (New Zealand) 

World Rugby Coach of the Year  – Andy Farrell (Ireland)
 
Nominees: Ian Foster (New Zealand), Jacques Nienaber (South Africa) , Simon Raiwalui (Fiji)

International Rugby Players Men's Try of the Year  – Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland, v England on 4 February)
 
Nominees: Damian Penaud (France, v Ireland pm 11 February), Hugo Keenan (Ireland, France on 11 February), Vinaya Habosi (Fiji, v Georgia on 1 October)  

World Rugby Women’s Sevens Player of the Year in partnership with HSBC – Tyla Nathan-Wong (New Zealand)
 
Tyla Nathan-Wong has been at the heart of the Black Ferns Sevens success story since the beginning, playing in the inaugural World Rugby Sevens Series tournament in 2012 and pulling the strings as the playmaker ever since. She played in all seven tournaments on the 2023 Series, scoring 247 points as the Black Ferns Sevens reached every final, winning six titles to claim a seventh overall crown. She made the HSBC Series Dream Team and sits second on the all-time point-scoring list with 1,295.

Nominees: Michaela Blyde (New Zealand), Maddison Levi (Australia), Reapi Ulunisau (Fiji) 

World Rugby Men’s Sevens Player of the Year in partnership with HSBC - Rodrigo Isgro (Argentina)

Nominees: Leroy Carter (New Zealand), Marcos Moneta (Argentina), Akuila Rokolisoa (New Zealand) 

World Rugby Men’s 15s Dream Team of the Year in partnership with Capgemini
  
1. Cyril Baille (France) 2. Dan Sheehan (Ireland) 3. Tadhg Furlong (Ireland) 4. Eben Etzebeth (South Africa) 5. Scott Barrett (New Zealand) 6. Caelan Doris (Ireland) 7. Charles Ollivon (France) 8. Ardie Savea (New Zealand) 9. Antoine Dupont (France) 10. Richie Mo’unga (New Zealand) 11. Will Jordan (New Zealand) 12. Bundee Aki (Ireland) 13. Garry Ringrose (Ireland) 14. Damian Penaud (France) 15. Thomas Ramos (France).

Full list of 2023 World Rugby Awards winners
 
World Rugby Men’s 15s Player of the Year in partnership with Mastercard – Ardie Savea (New Zealand)
World Rugby Coach of the Year – Andy Farrell (Ireland)
World Rugby Men’s 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year in partnership with Tudor – Mark Tele’a (New Zealand)
World Rugby Men’s Sevens Player of the Year in partnership with HSBC – Rodrigo Isgro (Argentina)
World Rugby Women’s Sevens Player of the Year in partnership with HSBC – Tyla Nathan-Wong (New Zealand)
World Rugby Referee Award – David McHugh (Ireland)
Vernon Pugh Award for Distinguished Service – George Nijaradze (Georgia)
International Rugby Players Special Merit Award – John Smit (South Africa)
International Rugby Players Men’s Try of the Year – Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland)
World Rugby Hall of Fame inductees: Daniel Carter (New Zealand), Thierry Dusautoir (France), George Smith (Australia), Juan Martín Hernández (Argentina), Bryan Habana (South Africa).
 
For more details on the World Rugby Awards, visit www.world.rugby/awards.