Bundee Aki, the Irish center, has been named as one of the four contenders for the title of World Rugby Men’s Player of the Year.
The other nominees are France’s captain, Antoine Dupont, Eben Etzebeth from South Africa, and Ardie Sevea from New Zealand. The winner will be revealed in Paris on the day following the World Cup final between the Springboks and the All Blacks.
Aki had an impressive performance during the tournament in France, despite Ireland’s usual exit in the quarter-finals. He topped the attack statistics during the pool phase. On the other hand, Dupont, a scrumhalf who won the award in 2021, couldn’t lead his team to victory on home soil.
Lock Etzebeth is a strong contender due to his powerful performances in the second row, which have been a highlight of the Springboks’ form this year. Loose-forward Sevea has also been exceptional and is a key player for the All Blacks.
The nominees for Breakthrough Player of the Year include two New Zealanders: wing Mark Tele’a and prop Tamaiti Williams. South Africa’s flyhalf Manie Libbok, who didn’t make the match-day 23 for the World Cup final, and French wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey are the other contenders.
Fiji’s Simon Raiwalui is in the running for Coach of the Year after guiding his team to a World Cup quarter-final and a victory over England at Twickenham. The likely winners in the coaching category are expected to be one of Andy Farrell (Ireland), Ian Foster (New Zealand), or Jacques Nienaber (South Africa).
The nominees for Women’s Player of the Year and other categories will be announced after the conclusion of the WXV tournament in New Zealand on November 4.
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