World Rugby Awards 2024: Springboks Dominate Men's Nominations
World Rugby Awards 2024: Springboks Dominate Men's Nominations
Springboks Eben Etzebeth, Cheslin Kolbe, Pieter-Steph Du Toit and Ireland captain Caelen Doris are nominated for World Rugby Player of the Year.
For just the second time in history, New Zealand has been left out of the World Rugby Player of the Year awards, with no players from their men’s or women’s 15s teams earning a place on the prestigious shortlist.
The only other time New Zealand missed out under the current award structure was in 2021.
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This year’s men’s Player of the Year nominees include three standout players from South Africa’s World Cup-winning squad: Eben Etzebeth, Cheslin Kolbe, and Pieter-Steph du Toit.
If Du Toit wins, he would become the first South African to claim the title twice, having previously won in 2019.
Ireland’s Caelan Doris, celebrated for his consistency and Grand Slam success, also is in contention.
Katelyn Vaha’akolo, a prolific try-scorer for the Black Ferns, was expected to be a contender for the women’s award. However, the shortlist includes England’s Ellie Kildunne and Alex Matthews, France’s Pauline Bourdon Sansus and Canada’s Alex Tessier.
On the sevens side, Olympic gold medalist Antoine Dupont is up for the World Rugby Men’s Sevens Player of the Year award following his impressive adaptation to the shorter game in 2024.
Should he edge out teammate Aaron Grandidier Nkanang and Ireland’s 2022 winner Terry Kennedy, Dupont would be the first male player to win both the sevens and 15s titles, having previously secured the 15s Player of the Year in 2021.
Dupont, also named the best player in 15s in 2021, has excelled in sevens, helping France clinch the title in Paris with his stellar performance.
New Zealand’s Portia Woodman remains the only player to have achieved the unique 15s/sevens double.
This year’s awards ceremony, which will take place Nov. 24 in Monaco, will include eight categories.
Fans are invited to participate in the voting process. Online polls will be open until Nov. 20 at 17:00 GMT, and they can weigh in on the men’s and women’s 15s Try of the Year categories at world.rugby/awards/toty.
2024 World Rugby Awards Nominees
Men’s Rugby 15s
Player of the Year: Caelan Doris (IRE), Eben Etzebeth (RSA), Pieter-Steph du Toit (RSA), Cheslin Kolbe (RSA)
Breakthrough Player of the Year: Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (RSA), Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (ENG), Jamie Osborne (IRE), Wallace Sititi (NZL)
Try of the Year: James Lowe (Ireland v England, Six Nations, 10 March), Lorenzo Pani (Italy v Wales, Six Nations, 17 March), Nolann Le Garrec (France v England, Six Nations, 17 March), Akaki Tabutsadze (Georgia v Australia, July Internationals, 20 July)
Women’s Rugby 15s
Player of the Year: Pauline Bourdon Sansus (FRA), Ellie Kildunne (ENG), Alex Matthews (ENG), Alex Tessier (CAN)
Breakthrough Player of the Year: Caitlyn Halse (AUS), Maddie Feaunati (ENG), Erin King (IRE), Hannah King (NZL)
Try of the Year: Alyssa D’Incà (Italy v Scotland, Six Nations, 20 April), Georgia Ponsonby (NZ v Australia, Pacific Four Series, 25 May), Maya Stewart (Australia v Wales, WXV, 28 September), Marine Ménager (France v Canada, WXV, 29 September)
Rugby 7s Awards
Men’s Sevens Player of the Year: Antoine Dupont (FRA), Aaron Grandidier Nkanang (FRA), Terry Kennedy (IRE)
Women’s Sevens Player of the Year: Michaela Blyde (NZL), Maddison Levi (AUS), Jorja Miller (NZL)
Additional Rugby Award Categories Include:
- International Rugby Players Special Merit Award
- World Rugby Coach of the Year
- World Rugby Women’s 15s Dream Team of the Year
- World Rugby Men’s 15s Dream Team of the Year
- World Rugby Women’s Sevens Dream Team of the Year, in partnership with HSBC
- World Rugby Men’s Sevens Dream Team of the Year, in partnership with HSBC
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