IRELAND BOSS ANDY Farrell has been named World Rugby coach of the year for 2023.
Farrell beat off competition from South Africa’s Jacques Nienaber, New Zealand’s Ian Foster, and Fiji’s Simon Raiwalui to scoop the gong at the awards ceremony in Paris this evening.
Farrell, who wasn’t at the lavish Opéra Garnier to accept the award, guided Ireland to a Grand Slam in the Six Nations earlier this year, but his side were knocked out of the World Cup in the quarter-finals after a close battle with New Zealand.
The Englishman took over as Ireland boss following the 2019 World Cup, having worked as Joe Schmidt’s assistant coach before that. He has now followed in Schmidt’s footsteps by being named World Rugby coach of the year.
Meanwhile, Ireland internationals Ireland’s Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong, Caelan Doris, Bundee Aki, and Garry Ringrose have all been included in the World Rugby dream team of the year after helping their side to the Grand Slam.
All Blacks number eight Ardie Savea has been announced as the World Rugby men’s player of the year for 2023 after his remarkable form helped his team into the World Cup final.
Savea pipped South Africa’s Eben Etzebeth, Ireland’s Aki, and France captain Antoine Dupont to the award.
New Zealand wing Mark Telea was named men’s breakthrough player of the year.
Ireland’s David McHugh won the referee award following his contribution as an international referee at three World Cups, as well as being a refereeing coach and mentor since finishing on the pitch.
Former Wallabies back row George Smith, ex-France captain Thierry Dusautoir, former Springboks wing Bryan Habana, ex-All Blacks out-half Dan Carter, and former Argentina playmaker Juan Martín Hernández were all inducted into the World Rugby hall of fame.
Scotland wing Duhan van der Merwe won try of the year for his long-range solo effort against England during the Six Nations.
Bravo! I wouldn’t be surprised if he decides to go for the vuelta as well. He’d certainly be mentally up for it as a racer thru and thru and by the look of the way he finished the tour, could also be physically ready. If anyone could do it, it would be him
@robert kelly: Alot of people have said it can never be done but I agree with that Pogacar could do it. Didn’t Froome challenge Contador to do all three a good few years back but think team orders made them see sense.
@Kevin Dillon: ah I’m no expert I’ve only started watching consistently over the last few years. My bro is a big cycling fan and got me into it and I love it now its a great watch. Logically and most likely it’s the worlds for him. Don’t know if it would even be possible to bring a team to the vuelta? He’s relatively fresh but the rest of the support riders are pretty much spent but I’m sure he’ll be thinking about it because it would also tick off the vuelta and triple crown and he’d be the first to do it which would be a dangling carrot.
Literally out of this world. he didn’t just win the Giro and TdF he obliterated the competition and therein lies the problem.
Vindegaard won a time trial last year by over a minute and was immediately dogged by doping questions. Pog does the same today but also has several other fantastical results in this year’s Tour and not a peep.
This with the Giro in his legs.
He also won a couple of Monuments this year which for a man of his size is highly unusual.
Sad to say but it’s not credible
@donal crosbie: the way he coasted on the mountains… not normal.
Sad to say that the chap who has a lance with arms that are strong springs to mind, cycling destroyed by him.
@WqM9AAv3: don’t comment on sports you know nothing about.
@Kevin Dillon: don’t comment on people you know nothing about. To55er