World Rugby Awards 2023: Here is a List of Nominees

The 2023 World Rugby Awards shortlists have been made public by World Rugby. The awards will be presented on Sunday, October 29, at the Opéra Garnier in Paris. The first shortlists for the prestigious World Rugby Awards 2023 have been announced by World Rugby. The awards will be given out on Sunday, October 29, at the Opéra Garnier in Paris.

Rugby’s biggest names will be on display at the prestigious awards, where the best players in the sport are acknowledged and ranked based on their accomplishments over the past year.

Soon after the historic Rugby World Cup 2023 at Stade de France ended, winners in 11 different categories will be recognized in a star-studded showcase.

The winning Rugby World Cup team will be among the glamorous Parisian guest list, which will also include notable figures from various spheres of society and generations of rugby legends. Fans around the world fans can watch live and for free on RugbyPass TV, where special pre-show coverage starts at 18:00 CET (GMT+1).

Rugby is celebrating its 200th anniversary this year, and the annual ceremony—which is being held for the first time at the magnificent Opéra Garnier—will honor this historic year with incredible feats, new records, and fresh starts.

The arrival of WXV, which runs through November 4th, in particular means that, at the end of a competition that marks a significant turning point for the sport, nominees and winners in an additional four women’s categories will be announced and celebrated independently.

The prestigious World Rugby Awards panels have selected the six shortlists that were made public today. Online voting will be available until 18:00 CEST (GMT +2) on Saturday, October 28th, allowing fans to voice their opinions and determine the winner of the International Rugby Players Men’s Try of the Year category.

Eight countries are represented in the first announcements of nominees, with New Zealand leading the pack with nine nominations in six different categories.

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.”

WORLD RUGBY AWARDS 2023 – NOMINEES

Women’s Sevens Player of the Year:

• Michaela Blyde (New Zealand)
• Maddison Levi (Australia)
• Tyla Nathan-Wong (New Zealand)
• Reapi Ulunisau (Fiji)

Men’s Sevens Player of the Year:

• 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)

Coach of the Year:

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

Men’s 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year:

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

Men’s 15s Player of the Year:

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

Other categories being awarded:

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

Categories awarded following the conclusion of WXV:

• Women’s 15s Player of the Year
• Women’s 15s Dream Team of the Year
• Women’s 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year
• International Rugby Players Women’s Try of the Year

WORLD RUGBY AWARDS 2023 | NOMINATIONS

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)

All four of these individuals have previously been nominated for this award; Michaela Blyde of the Black Ferns Sevens was the only winner, having won in both 2017 and 2018. The latest title success for New Zealand was led once more by Blyde and Tyla Nathan-Wong, but Maddison Levi emerged as the top try-scorer with 57 points over seven events, setting a record for a single women’s Series. Reapi Ulunisau, who made his debut in Tokyo 2020, is still an influential player of Fiji’s team and a threat anywhere on the field.

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)

All four nominees are from the top two teams in the 2023 Series, with Leroy Carter and hot-stepper Akuila Rokolisoa having a key part in the All Blacks Sevens’ 14th championship. While Rodrigo Isgro and Marcos Moneta combined for 80 tries, Argentina had a historic season winning three Cup titles out of six finals, finishing second, and qualifying for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. Isgro was also selected for the Argentina team for the Rugby World Cup 2023 in France due to his success in the sevens division.

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)

The shortlist consists of three tries from the Six Nations and one from the Rugby World Cup 2023, two of which came from the same game, Ireland vs. France in Dublin in February. Hugo Keenan broke through the French defense after receiving an inside pass from Finlay Bealham for the game’s first try, throwing a dummy before touching down. With a flicked pass from Thomas Ramos in his own 22, Damian Penaud scored a counterattack for France. The flanker charged into Ireland’s half before transferring the ball back to his winger to complete the move.

During the Calcutta Cup match, Duhan van der Merwe scored on his own after finding a gap in the England defense and receiving the ball just inside Scotland’s half. He then avoided five tackles to cross the line and score. Vinaya Habosi’s try against Georgia had everything: Levani Botia’s charging run, Selesitino Ravutaumada’s through-the-legs pass, and quick hands moving the ball along the line. The flanker then managed to offload while falling in the tackle, allowing the supporting Habosi to score.

World Rugby Coach of the Year

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

Jacques Nienaber and Ian Foster would love nothing more than to leave their positions after leading their respective teams to the Rugby World Cup 2023 final and winning a record-tying fourth Webb Ellis Cup for their countries. Although Andy Farrell has led Ireland to the top of the Capgemini World Rugby Men’s Rankings, his team lost again at the quarterfinal stage. When Simon Raiwalui took over as Fiji’s coach in February, the players responded immediately, reaching their first RWC quarterfinal in 16 years and winning their first match against Australia in 69 years.

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)

Tamaiti Williams, an All Blacks prop, is the only other front-row nominee for this award, making this quartet stand out in a year when many debutants have dazzled on the international scene. Along with fellow player Mark Tele’a, who scored the first try of the RWC 2023 against France, Louis Bielle-Biarrey, 20, the youngest participant, is also a constant threat. Bielle-Biarrey has established himself in a dangerous French back three quickly and has started four of the team’s five RWC 2023 matches. With injuries at fly-half, Manie Libbok has taken advantage of the chance to showcase his open play, most notably his incredible no-look kick-pass assist against Scotland.

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)

A balanced group of forwards and backs who have all contributed significantly to their countries’ achievements in 2023. At the RWC 2023, center Bundee Aki was in outstanding form, scoring five tries in a competition that saw him participate in his 50th Ireland test match. Test centurion Eben Etzebeth is still a towering presence in the Springbok lineout and contributes crucial tries, as evidenced by his performance in the team’s quarterfinal loss to France. Ardie Savea, a fellow finalist, is a constant presence on the All Blacks field, as demonstrated by his unceasing work ethic during the team’s quarterfinal victory over Ireland.

At last, scrum-half With his unwavering threat on the field, Antoine Dupont is not only the captain of France but also the team’s beating heart that has the French people enthralled, despite their heartbreaking defeat at the World Cup.

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