Savea wins World Rugby men’s player of the year as Farrell named best coach
Ardie Savea, the New Zealand loose forward, was named World Rugby men’s 15s player of the year on Sunday, despite ending up on the losing side in Saturday’s Rugby World Cup final.
Savea was chosen ahead of Bundee Aki, the Irish centre, Eben Etzebeth, the South Africa lock, and Antoine Dupont, the France captain, who won the award two years ago.
Savea is the 11th All Black to win the award, which was first introduced in 2001. He had been a finalist in 2019.
His award comes after a stellar season in which he helped New Zealand to win the Rugby Championship and a place in the World Cup final, which they lost 12-11 to the Springboks on Saturday.
Ireland’s Andy Farrell was chosen as World Rugby coach of the year while Mark Tele’a, the All Blacks winger, won the award for breakthrough player of the year.