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Nominees for World Rugby Coach of the Year revealed

AWARDS: World Rugby has unveiled the shortlist for the World Rugby Coach of the Year award, which will be presented in Monaco on Sunday.

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This year’s nominees are an equal split between coaches working in the men’s and women’s games.

Wayne Smith led the Black Ferns to a sixth Rugby World Cup triumph, and first on home soil, beating England in the final.

Under Simon Middleton’s guidance, the Red Roses had put together a world-record 30-match winning run until that defeat, completing a fourth successive Women’s Six Nations clean sweep along the way.

In the men’s game, Andy Farrell masterminded a first Irish series win in New Zealand, as well as the team’s rise to the top of the rankings.

Fabien Galthié, meanwhile, oversaw a Six Nations Grand Slam with France and has guided Les Bleues on a country-record unbeaten run.

Meanwhile, backline players dominated the nominees list for the Breakthrough Player of the Year award

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Having broken into the Ireland team during the men’s Six Nations, Dan Sheehan and Mack Hansen each played an integral role in the series win against New Zealand in July.

Italy fullback Ange Capuozzo scored twice on his debut and then set up the match-winning try as the Azzurri secured a first win against Wales in 15 years.

Henry Arundell made an instant impact on test rugby, scoring a try within six minutes of coming on to win his first England cap, against Australia in July.

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For the Women’s Breakthrough Player of the Year award, Sevens star Ruby Tui took 15s by storm in 2022, scoring eight tries in nine tests ahead of the RWC 2021 final.

Black Ferns teammate Maiakawanakaulani Roos, meanwhile, cemented her place in the New Zealand second-row with a string of commanding performances. Roos is the youngest player on the list, born 15 days after England prop Maud Muir, who featured in all 13 of the Red Roses’ matches in 2022.

Vitalina Naikore was one of the standout players for Fijiana in both their victorious Oceania Rugby Women’s Championship campaign and debut appearance at Rugby World Cup.

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