Ireland’s Josh van der Flier and New Zealand’s Ruahei Demant have been named World Rugby Men’s and Women’s 15s Player of the Year 2022 in partnership with Mastercard respectively at the World Rugby Awards in Monaco on Sunday. Five South Africans were also rewarded for their form on and off the field.
World Rugby Men’s 15s Dream Team of the Year in partnership with Capgemini
1. Ellis Genge (England) 2. Malcolm Marx (South Africa) 3. Tadhg Furlong (Ireland) 4. Tadhg Beirne (Ireland) 5. Sam Whitelock (New Zealand) 6. Pablo Matera (Argentina) 7. Josh van der Flier (Ireland) 8. Grégory Alldritt (France) 9. Antoine Dupont (France) 10. Johnny Sexton (Ireland) 11. Marika Koroibete (Australia) 12. Damian de Allende (South Africa) 13. Lukhanyo Am (South Africa) 14. Will Jordan (New Zealand) 15. Freddie Steward (England).
International Rugby Players Special Merit Award – Bryan Habana (South Africa)
Bryan Habana played 124 tests for South Africa, scoring 67 tries from 2004-16. The winger helped the Springboks win their second Rugby World Cup crown in 2007 and shares the record as top try-scorer in men’s Rugby World Cup history with Jonah Lomu on 15. Off the field, Habana has worked with International Rugby Players and the South African players’ association My Players, setting a benchmark for what it means to serve the game beyond the pitch – from his fundraising efforts benefitting hard-hit communities to ensuring players across men’s and women’s 15s and sevens at the highest levels have their voices heard.
World Rugby Referee Award – Tappe Henning (South Africa)
Tappe Henning has been integral to refereeing and its development across both the professional and amateur forms of the game for more than 20 years. A veteran of 15 tests as a referee from 1995-2005, Henning’s contribution to the game since hanging up the boots has been his biggest legacy, working with match officials in both South Africa and Scotland as well as in competitions such as Super Rugby and the United Rugby Championship. The South African is also known throughout the refereeing world as the ‘law guru’ and the go-to person for any technical law-related questions.
Josh Van der Flier was named the World Rugby Men’s 15s Player of the Year 2022, the third Irish winner after Keith Wood (2001) and Johnny Sexton (2018). He received the award ahead of three other nominees in Lukhanyo Am (South Africa), Antoine Dupont (France) and Johnny Sexton (Ireland).
New Zealand co-captain Ruahei Demant was at the heart of the Black Ferns' journey to Rugby World Cup 2021 winners on home soil, a constant threat to opposing defences. She received the award ahead of four other nominees in team-mate Portia Woodman, Canada captain Sophie de Goede, England flanker Alex Matthews and France scrum-half Laure Sansus.
The recent Rugby World Cup-winning captain Demant said: "Like most of our team, and like many players in New Zealand, I come from a very, very small place. And to be able to put on the black jersey it was a dream. I never knew about the Black Ferns growing up as a kid. I guess like most women my age, women's rugby was never accessible, was never something that you kind of aspired to be like, because you never had role models like that to look up to. And that was one of the great things about this World Cup, it was free to air, so everyone could watch it. But people could turn on the TV or go to the games and see people that look like them and so many strong women out there doing amazing incredible things. We had a great bunch of girls who put their heart and soul and body on the line for everyone, regardless of whether or not they're playing. So we got the job done. But we also had a great time a lot of fun doing it as well."
Josh van der Flier said: "I've been incredibly fortunate to have great teammates and coaches that have really pushed me on, as well as my wife and my family supported me a huge amount. I'm lucky to have some very experienced, top quality players and especially in my position both in Ireland and in Leinster, so I've always felt I've needed to be playing at my best the whole time or I wouldn't be playing, so that's certainly driven me on."
World Rugby Chairman Sir Bill Beaumont said: “On a special night, there was so much to celebrate about a remarkable 2022, but for me it was the power of personality that has stood out this year.
“Rugby World Cup 2021 and Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022 were shining examples of rugby’s personality in action. The way that players engage with fans and their accessibility shows that high-performance athletes can and should be themselves and have fun. They inspired, they moved and they played brilliant rugby.
“As a sport, we must harness and celebrate the power of personality if we are to grow, to be relevant and attract new audiences. In our award winners, we have superb role models, but by being accessible on social media, the next generation of players and fans can relate to them.
“Congratulations to all our award winners, but just as importantly, I would like to congratulate everyone who has played their part in getting our sport back up and running since the pandemic – the coaches, match officials, players, mums, dads and fans. Without you there is no sport.”
Nine of the winners were selected by the star-studded World Rugby Awards panels, while the rugby family had the opportunity to cast their votes for the International Rugby Players Men’s and Women’s Try of the Year categories on World Rugby social platforms.
Full list of World Rugby Awards winners
World Rugby Women’s 15s Player of the Year, in partnership with Mastercard – Ruahei Demant (New Zealand)
World Rugby Men’s 15s Player of the Year in partnership with Mastercard – Josh van der Flier (Ireland)
World Rugby Coach of the Year – Wayne Smith (New Zealand Women’s 15s)
World Rugby Men’s Breakthrough Player of the Year in partnership with Tudor – Ange Capuozzo (Italy)
World Rugby Women’s Breakthrough Player of the Year in partnership with Tudor – Ruby Tui (New Zealand)
World Rugby Men’s Sevens Player of the Year in partnership with HSBC – Terry Kennedy (Ireland)
World Rugby Women’s Sevens Player of the Year in partnership with HSBC – Charlotte Caslick (Australia)
World Rugby Referee Award – Tappe Henning (South Africa)
Vernon Pugh Award for Distinguished Service – Dr Farah Palmer (New Zealand)
International Rugby Players Special Merit Award – Bryan Habana (South Africa)
International Rugby Players Men’s Try of the Year – Rodrigo Fernandez (Chile, v USA on 9 July)
International Rugby Players Women’s Try of the Year – Abby Dow (England, v Canada on 5 November)
