ALL BLACKS CLEAN UP AT IRB AWARDS

Tri-Nations champions New Zealand, who completed their Grand Slam tour of the UK and Ireland by beating Scotland at the weekend, beat Wales to the IRB ‘Team of the Year’ crown, while former Wales coach Graham Henry pipped Mike Ruddock to the ‘Coach of the Year’ title. Dan Carter walked off with the ‘International Player of the Year’ award.
There was one Welsh award winner on the night, however, as the WRU’s Vice-Patron Sir Tasker Watkins was handed the IRB Chairman’s Award for his outstanding service to the Welsh game.
 
IRB AWARD WINNERS

IRB International Player of the Year: Daniel Carter (New Zealand)
IRB International Team of the Year: New Zealand
IRB International Coach of the Year: Graham Henry (New Zealand)
IRB International U19 Player of the Year: Isaia Toeava (New Zealand)
IRB International U21 Player of the Year: Tatafu Polota-Nau (Australia)
IRB International Sevens Team of the Year: Fiji
IRB International Sevens Player of the Year: Orene Ai’i (New Zealand)
Spirit of Rugby Award: Jean Pierre Rives
Vernon Pugh Award for Distinguished Service: Peter Crittle
IRB Referee Award for Distinguished Service: Paddy O’Brien
IRB International Women’s Personality of the Year: Farah Palmer
IRB Development Award: Robert Antonin
IRB Chairman’s Award: Sir Tasker Watkins V.C., G.B.E, D.L