The World Rugby Awards in Paris celebrated rugby players’ achievements and contributions to the sport, with New Zealand’s Ardie Savea winning Player of the Year and Andy Farrell of Ireland winning Coach of the Year. Eben Etzebeth was included in the World Rugby Men’s 15s Dream Team of the Year, while John Smit received the International Rugby Players Special Merit Award. The Springboks’ experience at the awards highlighted the significance of acknowledging not just the winners on the field, but also the crucial players behind the scenes, and the event’s lasting impact united the global rugby fraternity in a shared appreciation of the sport’s finest talents.
What were the results of the 2021 World Rugby Awards?
New Zealand’s Ardie Savea won Player of the Year, Andy Farrell of Ireland won Coach of the Year, and Mark Tele’a of the All Blacks won Breakthrough Player of the Year. Eben Etzebeth was included in the World Rugby Men’s 15s Dream Team of the Year, and John Smit received the International Rugby Players Special Merit Award. The event also recognized other rugby players’ achievements and contributions to the sport.
The World Rugby Awards took place on a chilly Sunday evening in Paris, France, just hours after the South African Springboks had lifted the coveted William Webb Ellis Trophy. Despite their recent victory, the Springboks did not amass additional honors that night.
South Africans Jacques Nienaber, Eben Etzebeth, and Manie Libbok attended the awards, nominated for Coach of the Year, Player of the Year, and Breakthrough Player of the Year, respectively. However, their aspirations for these distinguished titles were dashed as other international participants were triumphant.
New Zealand’s Ardie Savea took home the Player of the Year award, while Andy Farrell of Ireland was declared Coach of the Year. Mark Tele’a of the All Blacks received the Breakthrough Player of the Year award. Nonetheless, the event was not entirely lacking in recognition for the Springboks.
Eben Etzebeth secured a place on the World Rugby Men’s 15s Dream Team of the Year, acknowledging his consistently excellent performances on the field. Former Springbok captain John Smit received the International Rugby Players Special Merit Award for his outstanding contributions to rugby.
The awards ceremony served as a tribute to the talent, dedication, and effort put forth by rugby players worldwide. Among the winners were Tyla Nathan-Wong from New Zealand, named World Rugby Women’s Sevens Player of the Year, and Argentina’s Rodrigo Isgro, who won World Rugby Men’s Sevens Player of the Year. Other notable awards included the Vernon Pugh Award for Distinguished Service, awarded to George Nijaradze of Georgia, and the Rugby for All Award, presented to SOS Kit Aid.
The celebrations for the Springboks continued as they returned to South Africa. Upon landing at OR Tambo International Airport on Tuesday, they embarked on a week-long celebratory parade, showcasing their hard-earned Webb Ellis trophy. The parade traveled through Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, and the Eastern Cape, allowing fans from all corners of the country to join in the festivities.
The Springboks’ experience at the World Rugby Awards serves as a testament to the team’s hard work and determination. While their accolades were limited, they were accompanied by acknowledgments in the form of Etzebeth’s inclusion in the Dream Team of the Year and Smit’s Special Merit Award. The awards ceremony not only celebrated individual achievements but also provided an opportunity to appreciate the broader rugby community’s contributions.
In the world of rugby, the 2021 World Rugby Awards highlighted the significance of acknowledging not just the winners on the field, but also the crucial players behind the scenes. From SOS Kit Aid’s efforts to promote accessibility to the sport to referee David McHugh’s invaluable contributions, each award recipient played a vital role in shaping the rugby landscape.
As the festivities came to an end and the Springboks commenced their week-long parade, the event’s lasting impact remained. The World Rugby Awards, with its narrative of persistence, recognition, and celebration, united the global rugby fraternity in a shared appreciation of the sport’s finest talents, both on and off the field. The awards served as a reminder that the pursuit of excellence in rugby transcends borders, creating an international community that shares a common passion for the game.
New Zealand’s Ardie Savea won Player of the Year, Andy Farrell of Ireland won Coach of the Year, and Mark Tele’a of the All Blacks won Breakthrough Player of the Year. Eben Etzebeth was included in the World Rugby Men’s 15s Dream Team of the Year, and John Smit received the International Rugby Players Special Merit Award. The event also recognized other rugby players’ achievements and contributions to the sport.
The awards ceremony took place in Paris, France, on a chilly Sunday evening.
While the Springboks did not amass additional honors that night, Eben Etzebeth secured a place on the World Rugby Men’s 15s Dream Team of the Year, and John Smit received the International Rugby Players Special Merit Award.
Tyla Nathan-Wong from New Zealand won the World Rugby Women’s Sevens Player of the Year award.
Rodrigo Isgro from Argentina won the World Rugby Men’s Sevens Player of the Year award.
The Vernon Pugh Award for Distinguished Service was awarded to George Nijaradze of Georgia for his outstanding contributions to rugby.
The Rugby for All Award was presented to SOS Kit Aid for their efforts to promote accessibility to the sport.
The awards served as a reminder that the pursuit of excellence in rugby transcends borders, creating an international community that shares a common passion for the game. The event’s lasting impact remained as it united the global rugby fraternity in a shared appreciation of the sport’s finest talents, both on and off the field.
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