Van der Flier, Demant and Smith land top World Rugby awards

Josh van der Flier and Ruahei Demant were named the best rugby players in the world on Sunday, with Wayne Smith the number one coach.

 

 

 

Ireland's Josh van der Flier has been named men's World Rugby Player of the Year, while New Zealand duo Ruahei Demant and Wayne Smith both scooped another big prize.

The Leinster flanker was presented with the prestigious award in Monaco on Sunday after playing a huge part in Ireland's rise to the top of the rankings.

Van der Flier beat off competition from France scrum-half Antoine Dupont, winner of the award last year, South Africa centre Lukhanyo Am and his Ireland team-mate Johnny Sexton to land the gong.

The 29-year-old has been outstanding in a memorable year for Ireland, who secured a historic maiden series win over the All Blacks in New Zealand.

He is the third Irishman to win the award after Keith Wood in 2001 and Sexton four years ago.

Co-captain Demant was named women's World Rugby Player of the Year following New Zealand's World Cup triumph on home soil.

Demant's team-mate Portia Woodman, England's Alex Matthews, Sophie de Goede of Canada and France's Laure Sansus were also on the shortlist.

Smith was presented with the Coach of the Year award following the Black Ferns' win over England.

Ireland men's head coach Andy Farrell, France men's head coach Fabien Galthie and England women's boss Simon Middleton missed out on that honour to Smith.

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)