Magic Mikkelson bags top prize
The IRB announced New Zealand's Tim Mikkelson as the IRB Sevens Player of the Year after New Zealand were crowned World Champions in Moscow on Sunday.
Mikkelson saw off the challenge of England's Dan Norton and Fiji's Joji Raqamate to become the 10th recipient of the men's award, and the fifth New Zealander.
He follows in the footsteps of countrymen Orene Ai'i (2005), Afeleke Pelenise (2007), DJ Forbes (2008) and Tomasi Cama (2012).
In a season during which New Zealand were once again the most consistent side, winning the Sevens World Series and Rugby World Cup Sevens, Mikkelson was undeniably their most influential and consistent performer.
Regarded by coach, Gordon Tietjens, as the fittest member of his squad, Mikkelson was an ever-present throughout the season, playing in both the forwards and the backs and also stepping in as captain at the end of the season to lift the World Series trophy.
Giles Morgan said: "Congratulations to Tim Mikkelson on being voted the IRB Sevens Player of the Year. It was good to watch him during this year’s Sevens World Series, and to see him lift the Series trophy at the end of such an exciting season.
"We are looking forward to another great Series in 2013/14, kicking off in Australia in October, and to seeing all the players return for another fantastic year," Morgan added.
