World Rugby Awards 2023: RWC Champs Springboks Are Snubbed as Ardie Savea Wins Player of the Year

• All Blacks star, Ardie Savea was named the 2023 Men's Player of the Year in the World Rugby Awards
• New Zealand's Mark Tele'a took home the Breakthrough Player of the Year award
• World Cup champs Springboks were snubbed in the awards

The Springboks took centre stage at the 2023 World Rugby Awards on Sunday, one day after claiming their fourth Rugby World Cup title.

They reunited to open the 90-minute rugby showcase, which honoured the best players and coaches this year, as well as legends of the sport.

Interestingly, the reigning World Cup champs failed to win any individual honours on Sunday night.

Sports Brief looks at the personalities who were big winners at the 2023 World Rugby Awards.

Ardie Savea (New Zealand)

Men’s 15s Player of the Year

Savea nabbed the sport’s top individual honour after a spectacular 2023 campaign with the All Blacks.

France's World Cup 2022 squad: Who was left out of the France World Cup squad?

Football

He started in all but one of the All Blacks’ 18 test matches this year, helping them reach the Rugby World Cup Final against South Africa.

He led the tournament in runs with 82. His fantastic try against Ireland in the quarter-finals will live long in the memory of rugby fans.

Savea defeated Ireland’s Bundee Aki, France’s Antoine Dupont, and South Africa’s Eben Etzebeth for the award.

Mark Tele’a (New Zealand)

Men’s 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year

Tele’a showed what he is capable of in his Rugby World Cup debut against France, scoring two tries against the hosts in the All Blacks’ opening pool match.

He started four of New Zealand’s matches in this year’s World Cup and was a constant threat across the field for the All Blacks.

Tele’a defeated France’s Louis Bielle-Biarrey, South Africa’s Manie Libbok, and New Zealand’s Tamaiti Williams for the award.

Andy Farrell (Ireland)

Ecuador World Cup Squad 2022: Is Enner Valencia playing in this World Cup?

Football

Coach of the Year

Farrell bagged Coach of the Year honours after leading Ireland to the top of the world rankings. He led the Irish to a Six Nations Grand Slam and helped them embark on a 16-match winning streak.

Unfortunately for Farrell’s Ireland squad, their unbeaten run came to an end against New Zealand in the quarter-finals of the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

Farrell defeated New Zealand’s Ian Foster, South Africa’s Jacques Nienaber, and Fiji’s Simon Raiwalui for the award.

Rodrigo Isgro (Argentina)

Men’s Sevens Player of the Year

Isgro helped Argentina win three titles from six Cup Finals appearances this year, playing in all 11 tournaments for the Los Pumas Sevens.

His outstanding performances in Sevens rugby earned him a spot in Argentina’s 2023 Rugby World Cup squad.

Tyla Nathan-Wong (New Zealand)

Women’s Sevens Player of the Year

Nathan-Wong was unstoppable for the Black Ferns in the 2023 Series, scoring 247 points and playing in all seven tournaments.

Who Will Win the 2023 Rugby World Cup? Latest Odds Show South Africa Are Favourites Ahead of Semis

Rugby

She helped New Zealand reach every final, with the Black Ferns winning six of those to grab a seventh overall crown.

Men’s 15s Dream Team of the Year

France and Ireland dominated this year’s Dream Team, with five representatives each.

France’s Cyril Baille, Charles Ollivon, Antoine Dupont, Damian Penaud, and Thomas Ramos made the team.

Ireland’s Bundee Aki, Garry Ringrose, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong, and Caelan Doris also were included in the Dream XV.

South Africa’s Eben Etzebeth and New Zealand’s Ardie Savea, Richie Mo’unga, Scott Barrett, and Will Jordan completed the set of players for the Dream Team.

Why Roger Federer is a Springboks fan

Sports Brief recently reported on why Roger Federer supported the Springboks during the 2023 Rugby World Cup Final.

The 20-time Grand Slam champion's loyalty lies with the now four-time champs as he has South African blood running through his veins.

The tennis legend has dual Swiss and South African citizenship as his mother Lynette was born in South Africa.