![New Zealand players dominate 2023 World Rugby award nominations [LIST]](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/26102023/b027e3ce-b631-432c-94a2-f0b2f8467345.jpg?operations=fit(480:))
The nominees for the 2023 World Rugby Awards have now been announced, with New Zealand players unsurprisingly dominating the shortlist after a stellar 2023 for the country’s rugby.
The nominees for the 2023 World Rugby Awards have now been announced, with New Zealand players unsurprisingly dominating the shortlist after a stellar 2023 for the country’s rugby.
New Zealand players have dominated the first shortlists for the prestigious World Rugby Awards 2023, which will be presented at the Opéra Garnier in Paris on Sunday, 29 October.
Winners in 11 categories are set to be honoured in a star-studded showcase taking place just hours after the conclusion of a record-breaking Rugby World Cup 2023 at Stade de France.
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06:33 - 26.10.2023
RUGBY Kenya Simbas coach Jerome Parwatter using Elgon and Victoria Cup as 2027 World Cup preps
The Simbas will open their campaign against Zambia on November 1 before the two-legged showdown against Uganda in the Elgon Cup on November 5 and 11.
The Rugby World Cup-winning team will be part of a glittering Parisian guest list, featuring generations of rugby greats and special guests from across society. Fans around the world will be able to watch live and free on RugbyPass TV, where exclusive pre-show coverage will begin at 7 PM (EAT).
The men’s sevens category is being contested exclusively between four players.
New Zealand pair of Leroy Carter and Akulia Rokolisoa will battle out for the award with Rodrigo Isgro and Marcos Moneta of Argentina for the prestigious award, with only one of the four players ultimately set to win the award despite having brilliant individual years.
Carter and hot-stepper Akuila Rokolisoa played a key part in the All Blacks Sevens’ 14th title.
Moneta and Isgro, meanwhile, contributed 80 tries between them to an historic season for Argentina which saw them win three Cup titles from six finals to finish as runners-up and secure qualification for the Olympic Games Paris 2024.
Isgro’s form in sevens also saw him called up to the Argentina squad for Rugby World Cup 2023 in France.
06:33 - 26.10.2023
RUGBY Kenya Simbas coach Jerome Parwatter using Elgon and Victoria Cup as 2027 World Cup preps
The Simbas will open their campaign against Zambia on November 1 before the two-legged showdown against Uganda in the Elgon Cup on November 5 and 11.
In the 15s category, An even split of forwards and backs who have all been at the heart of their nations’ successes in 2023 have made the shortlist.
Centre Bundee Aki was in inspired form at RWC 2023, scoring five tries in a tournament that saw him play his 50th test for Ireland.
A test centurion, Eben Etzebeth continues to be a towering presence in the Springbok lineout while also weighing in with important tries as his score in the quarter-final defeat of France showed.
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16:04 - 14.10.2023
RUGBY Patrick Odongo worried of Shujaa slot after sustaining injury
The talented Daystar Falcons player was named the SJAK sportsman of the month, which he rightly earned as a result of his heroics for Shujaa last month.
Fellow finalist Ardie Savea always seems to be everywhere on the pitch for the All Blacks, his tireless work-rate evident for all to see in the quarter-final defeat of Ireland.
Finally, scrum-half Antoine Dupont is not only the captain of France but the heartbeat of the team that has captured the imagination of the French public, despite their RWC heartbreak, with his constant threat around the pitch.
There will also be an award for the breakthrough 15s player of the year considering the many debutants that have shone on the global stage.
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13:00 - 23.09.2023
RUGBY Collins Injera reveals the biggest challenge of his new coaching role
Injera stepped up to head coach role with Mwamba’s sevens side on an interim capacity on a couple of occasions during the 2023 National Sevens Circuit.
New Zealand’s Tamaiti Williams, is only the third front-row to be nominated for this award.
Team-mate Mark Tele’a scored the opening try of RWC 2023 against France and is a constant threat.
France’s 20-year-old Louis Bielle-Biarrey – the youngest contender – who has quickly established himself in a dangerous French back three and started four of their five RWC 2023 matches.
South Africa’s Manie Libbok has seized the opportunity afforded to him with injuries at fly-half to catch the eye with his open play, not least his outrageous no-look kick-pass assist against Scotland.
There will also be an award for the coach of the year. Ian Foster of New Zealand and Jacques Nienaber of South Africa have led their respective teams to the Rugby World Cup 2023 final and would like nothing more than to bow out of their roles with a record fourth Webb Ellis Cup lifted for their nations.
Andy Farrell has taken Ireland to the top of the World Rugby Men’s Rankings powered by Capgemini, but his side fell once more at the quarter-final hurdle.
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14:32 - 23.10.2023
RUGBY KCB's Samwel Asati reveals reason behind prominent Kenya Sevens rise
The KCB scrumhalf received his first call-up to the Kenya Sevens set up in September before going on to play a key role in the side securing Olympic qualification.
Simon Raiwalui, meanwhile, stepped in as Fiji coach in February and had an instant impact on the players who not only reached a first RWC quarter-final for 16 years but also a first win over Australia for 69 years.
The Rugby 15s try of the year will be contested between Ireland’s Hugo Keenan, Fiji’s Viyana Habosi, Damian Penaud of France, and Duhan van der Merwe of Scotland.
Other categories being awarded on Sunday, 29 October
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11:00 - 23.10.2023
RUGBY Olago believes KCB are way off being ready for Kenya Cup despite making Floodies final
KCB comprehensively thrashed Menengai Oilers to reach the final of the Impala Floodlit Trophy against Nondies for the second year in a row, but Olago remains far from convinced.
Vernon Pugh Award for Distinguished Service
International Rugby Players Special Merit Award
Rugby for All Award
World Rugby Referee Award
World Rugby Men’s 15s Dream Team of the Year in partnership with Capgemini
Categories awarded following the conclusion of WXV
World Rugby Women's 15s Player of the Year in partnership with Mastercard
World Rugby Women’s 15s Dream Team of the Year in partnership with Capgemini
World Rugby Women's 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year in partnership with Tudor
International Rugby Players Women's Try of the Year
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