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Ian Foster nominated for World Rugby Coach of the Year
By Finn Morton
A lot has changed in 15 months for All Blacks coach Ian Foster. With New Zealand’s disastrous run of five losses from six starts now a distant memory, Foster has been nominated for World Rugby Coach of the Year.
Coach Foster led the All Blacks to another Rugby Championship crown earlier this year, as well as the retention of the prestigious Bledisloe Cup against the Wallabies. But Foster’s finest hour came at the Rugby World Cup.
The All Blacks had been branded the “weakest” New Zealand team in history before the World Cup, but now they’re off to the final. New Zealand overcame Ireland in a thrilling quarter-final before recording a commanding win over Argentina a week later.
New Zealand are off to the big dance. The All Blacks will face defending champions the Springboks in the final at Stade de France, with coach Jacques Nienaber also receiving a nomination.
Ireland’s Andy Farrell is also in the running after guiding Ireland to a staggering 17-Test unbeaten run, while Fiji’s Simon Raiwalui is the other contender.
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 200th 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:
World Rugby Women’s Sevens Player of the Year in partnership with HSBC
- Michaela Blyde (New Zealand)
- Maddison Levi (Australia)
- Tyla Nathan-Wong (New Zealand)
- Reapi Ulunisau (Fiji)
World Rugby Men’s Sevens Player of the Year in partnership with HSBC
- Leroy Carter (New Zealand)
- Rodrigo Isgro (Argentina)
- Marcos Moneta (Argentina)
- Akuila Rokolisoa (New Zealand)
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 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
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Latest Comments
I was at this match. Jordie Barrett earned his money with a massive hit to slow a connaught attack to win the math when Leinster had 14 in the last few mins. Mack Hansen had a real go at the refereeing after citing a serious head hits on Iaone and Aki.
connaught were up for this. Snyman tried a trademark dirty after, and the onnaught 4 and the onnaught pack absolutely laid into him.
Leinster hose to kick to the corner when only winning by 5 with 10 left and qith only 2 tries scored. onnaught should have punisihed them for that utter stupidity after they broke out and Leinster yellowed to stop the attack.
13 changes from last week. It seems teams are scoring about 10 points less against Leinster this year. With Neinaber in his second year, the new attack coah established, surely they will be a bigger threat in champions up? Or will the attack recgress further.
They must adopt the SA philosophy of take your 3 pointers and the bonus points will come.
connaught back line inluding Iaone, Murphy, Aki, Forde, cordero is the seond best in Ireland surely. Leinster were lucky here
Go to commentsShould have played more for England but he jumped ship just as he was breaking through.
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