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South Africa have won big at the World Rugby Awards in Tokyo tonight, taking home team of the year, while Rassie Erasmus was named coach of the year and Pieter-Steph Du Toit was awarded player of the year.
The awards recognize the players, coaches, teams and match officials who contribute so much to the game and perform at the highest level during the past year.
Alun Wyn Jones has been nominated forplayer of the yearwhile Warren Gatland had also beennominated for the coach of the year, while Wales were nominated for team of the year alongside England, New Zealand, South Africa and Japan.
The red carpet awards ceremony was held in Tokyo and was attended by the world’s best players, past and present, including Rugby World Cup 2019 winners South Africa, runner-up and representatives from the bronze final.
The full list of winners:
World Rugby Men’s (s Player of the Year: Pieter-Steph Du Toit) South Africa)
World Rugby Women’s 15 s Player of the Year: Emily Scarratt (England)
World Rugby Team of the Year: South Africa
World Rugby Coach of the Year: Rassie Erasmus (South Africa)
World Rugby Referee of the Year: Wayne Barnes (England)
Try of the Year: TJ TJ Perenara (New Zealand )
World Rugby Women’s Sevens Players of the Year: Ruby Tui
World Rugby Men’s Sevens Players of the Year: Jerry Tuwai (Fiji)
IRP Special Merit Award: Jamie Heaslip (Ireland)
Vernon Pugh Award for Distinguished Service: Bernard Lapasset
Award for Character: City of Kamaishi
World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year: Romain Ntamack (France)
Those inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame: Six legends of the game in Richie McCaw (New Zealand), Shiggy Konno (Japan), Os du Randt (South Africa), Peter Fatialofa (Samoa), Graham Henry (New Zealand) and Diego Ormaechea (Uruguay) were inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame in 2019.
The official handover ahead of the 2023 Rugby World Cup
As one tournament draws to a close, the rugby world looks ahead to the next tournament, taking place in France in 2023 Here are the details onhost cities and tournament dates for four years’ time.
World Rugby player of the year goes to South Africa’s back-rower Pieter-Steph du Toit
The six men named in the men’s category are:
- Alun Wyn Jones (Wales)
- Joe Taufete’e (USA)
- Cheslin Kolbe South Africa)
- Pieter-Steph Du Toit (South Africa)
- Ardie Savea (New Zealand)
- Tom Curry (England)
Blond-haired back-rower du Toit has been outstanding all year for the ‘Boks and maintained that form in the Rugby World Cup.
He makes it a South African triple crown with the coach, team and player of the year all heading back to South Africa with the Webb Ellis Trophy
South Africa win team of the year
It h ad to be. The world cup champions are named the team of the year tonight.
The nominees were:
(England) ********
Japan
New Zealand
South Africa
Wales
Coach of the year goes to South Africa’s Rassie Erasmus
World Rugby Coach of the Year
These were the nominees:
Rassie Erasmus (RSA)WINNER
Warren Gatland ( WAL)
Steve Hansen (NZL)
Eddie Jones (ENG)
Jamie Joseph (JPN)
The former Munster boss has completed a memorable 24 hours adding the World Rugby coach of the year award to lifting the Webb Ellis Trophy with the Springboks on Saturday in their emphatic 32 – 12 defeat of England.
Referee of the year goes to England’s Wayne Barnes
England’s Wayne Barnes has been named referee of the year.
The London barrister could well have blown the whistle on Saturday’s final had not England played the Springboks at the Yokohama Stadium, in Japan.
The Gloucestershire man was widely tipped to call time after taking charge of Wales-New Zealand in the bronze medal match on Friday.
But he told the awards ceremony he would take time out with his family before making any decision on his future.
Try of the year goes to TJ Perenara
(IRP try of the year)
The nominees were:
Charles Ollivon (FRA)
TJ Perenara (NZL)WINNER
Sergio Parisse (ITA)
Cobus Reinach (RSA)
We’re back
After a break for dinner, we are back and ready to hear the recipients of the remainder of the awards.
Warren congratulates Rassie
Wales head coach Warren Gatland congratulates new World Champion South African head coach Rassie Erasmus during the World Rugby Awards
new members of rugby hall of fame
Now it is time for the six legends to be inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame in 2019. They are:
- New Zealand’s Richie McCaw
- Shiggy Konno ( Japan)
- Os du Randt (South Africa)
- Peter Fatialofa (Samoa)
- Diego Ormaechea (Uruguay)
- Former Wales and New Zealand coach Graham Henry.
Award for distinguished service
The Vernon Pugh Award, given for distinguished service to rugby, goes to Bernard Lapasset.
Award for survivors of the Kamaishi earthquake
Ireland’s Jaime Heaslip was given the merit award and now it is time for the ‘character award’. Amid emotional scenes, it went to the people of Kamaishi which hosted itsRugby World Cupmatch just years after being rebuilt following tragedy.
It was a chance to show the world how it has recovered since 1, 300 people died in an earthquake and tsunami that carried cars and houses down streets like twigs floating in a stream. Read more about the wonderful town and its peoplehere.
French player wins best newcomer
Now it is time for the breakthrough player with Romain Ntamack from France taking the accolade over England’s Joe Cokanasiga and Herschel Jantjies from South Africa.
Men’s sevens player of the year announced
World Rugby men’s sevens player of the year, in association with HSBC
The nominees were:
Folau Niua (USA)
Stephen Tomasin (USA)
Jerry Tuwai (FIJ)WINNER
First award goes to New Zealand player
The first award isWorl d Rugby women’s sevens player of the year, in association with HSBC
The nominees are all from New Zealand:
Sarah Hirini (NZL)
Tyla Nathan-Wong (NZL)
Ruby Tui (NZL)WINNER
Awards about to be handed out
The awards ceremony is about to get underway. The South African team have not been able to have their food because so many people have wanted to speak to them.
World champions making an entrance
The winners arriving at the ceremony
The nominees
Here’s the full list of nominees for the awards being handed out today.
World Rugby breakthrough player of the year, in association with Tudor
Joe Cokanasiga (ENG)
Herschel Jantjies (RSA)
(Romain Ntamack (FRA)
IRP try of the year
Charles Ollivon (FRA)
TJ Perenara (NZL) )
Sergio Parisse (ITA)
Cobus Reinach (RSA)
World Rugby men’s sevens player of the year, in association with HSBC
Folau Niua (USA)
Stephen Tomasin (USA)
Jerry Tuwai (FIJ)
World Rugby women’s sevens player of the year, in association with HSBC
Sarah Hirini (NZL)
Tyla Nathan-Wong (NZL)
Ruby Tui (NZL)
World Rugby team of the year
England
Japan
New Zealand
South Africa
Wales
World Rugby Coach of the Year
Rassie Erasmus (RSA)
Warren Gatland (WAL)
Steve Hansen (NZL)
Eddie Jones (ENG)
Jamie Joseph (JPN)
World Rugby men’s 15 s player of the year, in association with Mastercard
Pieter-Steph du Toit (South Africa)
Tom Curry (ENG)
Alun Wyn Jones (WAL) Cheslin Kolbe (RSA)
Ardie Savea (NZL)
Joe Taufete’e (USA)
World Rugby women’s 15 s player of the year, in association with Mastercard
Sarah Bern (ENG)
Pauline Bourdon (FRA)
Kendra Cocksedge (NZL)
Katy Da ley-Mclean (ENG)
Emily Scarratt (ENG)
‘All races would have woken up wearing green’ – Pienaar
Francois Pienaar, who captained South Africa to World Cup glory in 1995, has also been speaking about the team’s success.
He said: “Japan changed the World Cup , because if a home team does well then the World Cup gets a buzz, gets the people for it. After the Scotland game the numbers were just bizarre: close to 16 million people peaked watched the rugby for the first time, 200, 000 shirts were sold. You couldn’t get a Japanese rugby shirt because it was sold out. That shows the power of sport. Rugby in Japan is not the most popular sport, but it is in my country, and when these guys perform for their country, the way Japan played against South Africa, only being 5-3 down at half time was tremendous, having beaten South Africa in a previous World Cup. There was the hope of a nation to see our team go forward.
“The main success is Japan going well and then obviously I’m biased, seeing South Africa in the final, Siya Kolisi, the first black captain of South African rugby, in his 50 th game. His dad flying for the first time in his life to watch his son play. Wow. You don’t get more emotion than that. And then I see my number and the president wearing the number, which Mr Mandela wore, and I know that Cyril was very close to Mandela, very close. In Mr Mandela’s speech when he first came out of prison, go and look at who is holding the microphone – it was Cyril. When I saw that, it was like ‘wow, this is amazing, maybe this is a good omen. ”
As big as 1995?
“ No, this is bigger. This is bigger because transformed team, 58 million people watching in South Africa yesterday morning, all races would have woken up wearing green, which wouldn’t have happened in my time. It’s evolved from my time. We had an incredible moment with Mr Mandela but just the support from the nation for this and team and captain. ”
More than rugby …
“It’s more than rugby in most countries but in South Africa we are tender. We have had bad leadership and our country needs to rebuild. To rebuild you need to unite and sport comes along and shows you that. Rugby in particular caters for all talents. Strong guys up front, tall guys, speedy guys. They play together and it makes them a successful team and that is a beautiful story for life and for a country. Everybody needs to work together if you want to be successful. As a country, to be world champions, you all need to work together. ”
Captain Kolisi can’t wait to celebrate at home
South African captain Siya Kolisi has said he can’t wait to get back home to celebrate with their fans. He said the team “stand together” and “we wanted to do something great for the country.”
“It has really been amazing with lots of emotion,” he said. “It has been a really tough 20 weeks. We have had to work really hard and sacrifice a lot. ”
Ceremony has begun
The ceremony has just got underway with some traditional Japanese music and a procession of the winning South African team into the auditorium to get events started.
Habana praises ‘phenomenal’ result
South African Bryan Habana has been speaking on the red carpet about his country’s World Cup success.
He said:
“I think the emotions were running high. To see what it has meant, Siya’s story and what Rassie has been able to do with this side has been nothing sort of phenomenal.
“Eighteen months ago, no-one gave South Africa a chance, and being a final and winning it as handsomely as they did is pretty decent.
“I was fortunate enough to be at Ellis Park in 1997, and in 2007 I had the fortune of winning it, but to see this journey has been amazing. ”
On captain Siya Kolisi, he said: “It’s amazing achievement. All the credit and plaudits coming his way are well deserved.
“I told people the whole week of Siya growing up. He had some support but he didn’t have great role models and he didn’t have a lot of I would have had, growing up.
“He was sometimes worried about where his next meal was coming from. He just wanted to get through some nights knowing that he could go to school and get a jam sandwich that would see him through the day.
“Knowing Siya a little bit more personally than the average person and been part of his journey, it has been absolutely fantastic. He deserves everything that comes his way. ”
Wales team arrive
Looking very smart. Nominees Warren Gatland and Alun Wyn Jones have been joined by top try scorer Josh Adams and Ken Owens.
Former Wales coach arriving
Former New Zealand and Wales head coach Graham Henry arriving with his wife Raewyn as he is inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Japan hosted ‘probably the greatest ‘Rugby World Cup
That is the sentiment of World Rugby chairman Sir Bill Beaumont who hailed Japan 2019 as “probably the greatest” Rugby World Cup in hi story.
The six-week tournament drew to a close yesterday with South Africa clinching their third world title by beating England in Yokohama.
France will host the event in 2023, with Beaumont also confirming that a dual bidding process will begin late next year for the 2027 and 2031 tournaments.
That would replicate the system used for 2015 and 2019, when England and Japan won staging rights.
And after the success of the sport’s first world cup in Asia, the door could be open for a strong bid from the United States.
“Japan 2019 will be remembered as probably the greatest Rugby World Cup, ”said Beaumont, speaking at the tournament’s closing press conference in Tokyo.
Match officials arriving for ceremony
Nigel Owens (back right) and the rest of the World Cup officials arrive for the ceremony. There is a referee award category.
The list of awards
Here are the 12 awards that are being handed out in Japan today:
All Black legend to be inducted into Hall of Fame
Guests have started arriving at the event in Tokyo. New Zealand legend Richie McCaw is one of six people who will be inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame in 2019. He will be joined by Shiggy Konno (Japan), Os du Randt (South Africa), Peter Fatialofa (Samoa), Diego Ormaechea (Uruguay) and former Wales coach Graham Henry.
Gatland and Wyn Jones up for awards
Outgoing Wales coachWarren Gatland has been nominatedfor the coach of year award at the awards.
He is joined in the shortlist by winning South African coach Rassie Eramus , New Zealand’s Steve Hansen, England’s Eddie Jones and Japan’s Jamie Joseph.
Captain Alun Wyn Jones has also beennominated for player of the year.
The six men named in the men’s category are:
- Alun Wyn Jones (Wales)
- Joe Taufete’e (USA)
- Cheslin Kolbe (South Africa)
- Pieter-Steph Du Toit (South Africa)
- Ardie Savea (New Zealand)
- Tom Curry (England)
Shortlist for breakthrough player
Time to take a look at some of the shortlists. Here are the three nominees for the breakthrough player of the year
Running order for the event
This is the running order for the event. Players and coaches are expected to start arriving in the next 20 minutes and the ceremony will start at 10. (am.)
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