'It's team trophies you want to win'
REACTION: Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth will take the World Cup trophy over any individual accolade after being snubbed for the World Rugby Player of the Year award.
The Springbok lock was nominated for the award. However, he missed out after New Zealand’s No.8 Ardie Savea scooped up the prestigious prize.
Savea not only beat Etzebeth but also won ahead of France captain Antoine Dupont and Ireland centre Bundee Aki.
All four nominees were named in the World Cup Dream Team of the Year.
Etzebeth is the only South African in that team.
“It’s team trophies you want to win,” the 32-year-old said.
“If you want to win individual awards, then you should probably play golf or tennis.”
“That takes nothing away from Ardie, he has been exceptional this year,” Etzebeth added.
Savea’s All Blacks were beaten 11-12 by South Africa in Saturday’s final.
The 30-year-old also suffered with New Zealand at the semifinal stage four years ago.
Nonetheless, he has been the standout for All Blacks, guiding the side to a record 20th Rugby Championship (previously Tri-Nations) this year.
“It’s put the fire again in my belly to rectify it,” Savea told reporters.
“I’ve experienced this twice now, 2019 and 2023 and being a leader in this team it’s not a nice feeling.”
Savea started all but one of New Zealand’s seven games at the World Cup and he becomes his country’s first recipient of the award since fullback Beauden Barrett in 2017.
“I’m very honoured and blessed to receive the award,” Savea said.
“We lost the Final and that really hurt so it’s nice to have something positive,” he added.
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Former France flank Thierry Dusautoir in 2011 is the only other player to have taken the prize, awarded since 2001, after losing a World Cup final.
Ireland’s Andy Farrell was named coach of the year after leading the side to a Six Nations Grand Slam, although his team went down to the All Blacks in the World Cup quarterfinals.
Englishman Farrell pipped the other nominees in South Africa’s Jacques Nienaber, New Zealand’s Ian Foster and Simon Raiwalui, who helped Fiji to the World Cup quarters.
Mark Telea picked up the Breakthrough Player of the Year award.
Telea beat Springboks flyhalf Manie Libbok, France prop Louis Bielle-Biarrey (France) and his countryman Tamaiti Williams for the accolade.
Savea and three of his compatriots – second-row Scott Barrett, flyhalf Richie Mo’unga and wing Will Jordan – have also been included in the Team of the Year.
World Cup hosts France and Ireland have 10 representatives in the side, despite being knocked out in the tournament’s last eight.
Savea and three of his compatriots – second-row Scott Barrett, flyhalf Richie Mo’unga and wing Will Jordan – are included.
Dan Carter, a double World Cup winner with New Zealand, and South Africa’s 2007 World Cup winner Bryan Habana were among a number of former greats inducted into World Rugby’s Hall of Fame.
Former Wallabies flank George Smith, former Argentina playmaker Juan Martin Hernandez and Dusautoir were also honoured.
Four women’s awards, including the player of the year, will be handed out after the ongoing WXV tournament which ends early next month.
*Additional source: AFP
#ICYMI: All the winners from the World Rugby awards on Sunday 👇#RWC2023 #NewZealand #AllBlacks #SouthAfrica #Springboks https://t.co/ASyIqCkJ5B
— rugby365.com (@rugby365com) October 30, 2023
