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Results are in at the World Rugby Awards
By Sam Smith
The results are in from the World Rugby Awards and it's no surprise to see New Zealand dominant in Team and Player of the Year categories. The only real surprise might be that Steve Hansen was pipped by Eddie Jones for Coach of the Year.
And the winner is...
World Rugby Men's Player of the Year: Beauden Barrett (New Zealand)
World Rugby Women's Player of the Year: Portia Woodman (New Zealand)
Team of the year – Black Ferns (New Zealand)
Coach of the Year - Eddie Jones (England)
World Rugby Referee Award – Joy Neville (Ireland)
IRPA Try of the Year - Joaquin Tuculet (Argentina)
World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year - Rieko Ioane (New Zealand)
World Rugby's Men's 7s Player of the Year - Perry Baker (USA)
World Rugby's Women's 7s Player of the Year - Michaela Blyde (New Zealand)
IRPA Special Merit - Rachael Burford and Richie McCaw
Award for Character - Eduardo "Coco" Oderigo
Vernon Pugh Awards for Distinguished Service - Marcel Martin
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Latest Comments
Agreed. A very good comparison. On the day they can beat anyone.
You can never be sure which team is pitching up until the whistle blows.
I think Contemponi is a fabulous coach.
Go to commentsUmm - really?
He goes on to say that they just need to deal with the Bok scrums, lineouts and territorial game. Those are not one or two little things ...
Besides, I suspect Tony Brown would like to see his new attacking philosophy clicking against Wales. That involves a lot more than set pieces and kicking. And Gatland might want to be ready for it.
For me the big question is whether the Boks retain their shape and intensity, regardless of the scoreline. If they do that then it could be a cricket score.
But there have been times this year when we have seen them get into a kind of error strewn, shelter shelter, hot potato mode on attack. Hope we don't see that, because it is silly and ineffective. Also boring.
I would love to see the new Bok plan in full flight. But, sadly, my expectation is that we will be another England-like post-game interview, with Rassie "taking the win" but declaring that they did not play the way they intended to.
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