2023 World Rugby Awards: Player of the Year
What a year it's been for rugby! As we catch our breath after a season packed with jaw-dropping games, the World Rugby 2023 Player Awards have rolled out the red carpet to celebrate the players who made us cheer, gasp, and jump out of our seats. This isn't just any awards night – it's like the Oscars of rugby, where the best of the best get their moment in the spotlight.
We saw fresh faces burst onto the scene, making us sit up and take notice, and seasoned pros who continued to show us how it's done. The awards night was as much about the raw talent and hard work of these players as it was about the spirit of rugby – that unique blend of fierce competition and brotherhood. So, let's dive into the who's who of the World Rugby 2023 Player Awards and find out who grabbed the top honours and why they're the talk of the rugby world right now.
Who is Rugby’s Player of the Year 2023?
Men’s 15s Player of the Year - Ardie Savea
The Men’s 15s Player of the Year award goes to Ardie Savea. It’s an award that is always fiercely contested, with the giants of World Rugby locking horns for the distinguished honour. This year, amidst a field that included the bulldozing Bundee Aki, the talismanic Dupont, and the Springbok enforcer Etzebeth, one name rose to the top: Ardie Savea. Despite a year of unexpected trials for New Zealand—a late-comeback draw in Twickenham, a record loss to the Springboks, a first-ever Rugby World Cup pool game defeat, and a red card in the World Cup Final—Savea shone. In the heart of the All Blacks' industrious lineup, his presence was undeniable; Savea wasn’t just a mainstay on the team sheet but a relentless force on the field, amassing a remarkable 463 minutes of World Cup play. His top ranking in runs, third-place standing for offloads, trio of tries, and leading tackle count for the All Blacks not only highlight his defensive prowess but also underscore his unmatched influence on the game. Savea’s towering performance this year is what truly merits him this prestigious accolade.
Women's 15s Player of the Year - Marlie Packer
If we are talking about fully-deserved winners then none could be more fully-deserved than Marlie Packer. The English back-row is a monster of the game. Marlie carries hard, tackles harder, and is a born leader on the pitch; It is no surprise that when Marlie takes the field, England do well. Marlie represents everything that you would want in a back-row player, and couples that with the fact that she seemingly scores tries for fun. She was joint 2nd for tries scored in the World Cup (just one behind the legendary Portia Woodman) and was top try scorer and top points scorer for England’s Grand Slam winning 6 Nations campaign. Marlie Packer’s success was not guaranteed: with World Cup Heroine Ruahei Demant, Speedster teammate Abby Dow, and 6 Nations Player of the Tournament Gabrielle Verner in the running for World Player of the Year, but how can you possibly argue with the outcome? Well, you can argue if you like: feel free to tell it to Marlie’s face.
