Four Kiwis nominated for World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year awards

World Rugby has unveiled the 2023 nominees for the women’s and men’s Sevens Player of the Year awards, which includes a quartet of World Series-winning New Zealanders across the two categories.

As the anticipation continues to build ahead of the prestigious awards night in Paris, the Black Ferns and All Blacks Sevens have each received two nominations.

Try-scoring phenom Michaela Blyde is looking to become the first player to win the women’s award three times, while teammate Tyla Nathan-Wong is also in the running after steering the Black Ferns to World Series glory.

Former AFLW forward Maddison Levi has also been nominated after a record-breaking season that saw the Australian Sevens ace cross for a staggering 57 tries across all events. Reapi Ulunisau is the fourth and final nominee after another strong campaign with Fiji.

As for the men’s category, All Blacks Sevens duo Leroy Carter and Akuila Rokolisoa are both looking to win the award for the first time.

Rodrigo Isgro and Marcos Moneta have also been nominated after contributing 80 tries between them throughout a famous season for Argentina. Argentina won the Cup final three times after playing in six finals.

World Rugby Chairman Sir Bill Beaumont said: “All those nominated today deserve not only our congratulations but also our thanks for everything they have contributed, on and off the field, to inspire fans and players worldwide, driving rugby forward in 2023 in line with our sport’s values.

“The strength of rugby is its players, coaches, officials and volunteers, and these shortlists provide a vivid snapshot of a sport that is thriving globally in its 200^th year.

“One day after we crown the Rugby World Cup 2023 champions, we look forward once again to uniting our global family and presenting a wider cast of winners with the ultimate accolades in our sport – the World Rugby Awards.”

The award winners will be revealed on Sunday, October 29 – the day after the Rugby World Cup final – at the Opera Garnier in Paris.

The nominees for the other categories are:

International Rugby Players Men's Try of the Year

• Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland, v England on 4 February)
• Damian Penaud (France, v Ireland on 11 February)
• Hugo Keenan (Ireland, France on 11 February)
• Vinaya Habosi (Fiji, v Georgia on 1 October)

World Rugby Coach of the Year

• Andy Farrell (Ireland)
• Ian Foster (New Zealand)
• Simon Raiwalui (Fiji)
• Jacques Nienaber (South Africa)

World Rugby Men's 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year in partnership with Tudor

• Louis Bielle-Biarrey (France)
• Manie Libbok (South Africa)
• Mark Tele'a (New Zealand)
• Tamaiti Williams (New Zealand)

World Rugby Men's 15s Player of the Year in partnership with Mastercard

• Bundee Aki (Ireland)
• Antoine Dupont (France)
• Eben Etzebeth (South Africa)
• Ardie Savea (New Zealand)

Other categories being awarded on Sunday, 29 October

• Vernon Pugh Award for Distinguished Service
• International Rugby Players Special Merit Award
• Rugby for All Award
• World Rugby Referee Award
• World Rugby Men’s 15s Dream Team of the Year in partnership with Capgemini

Categories awarded following the conclusion of WXV

• World Rugby Women's 15s Player of the Year in partnership with Mastercard
• World Rugby Women’s 15s Dream Team of the Year in partnership with Capgemini
• World Rugby Women's 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year in partnership with Tudor
• International Rugby Players Women's Try of the Year