Springboks and Red Roses Steal the Show at World Rugby Awards!
Ah, the glitz and glamour of the World Rugby Awards in Monaco! Where else can you experience the excitement of sport combined with the touch of sheer opulence? Honestly, it’s like watching a bunch of blokes in shorts and shirts run around a field while the poshest of posh pop their champagne. Pure spectacle!
This year, all eyes were on Pieter-Steph du Toit, the Springbok forward who snagged the coveted Men’s Player of the Year award, and the incredible Ellie Kildunne, who emerged victorious as the Women’s Player of the Year. That’s right, folks, South Africa and England are pulling the rugby strings—and pulling them well!
What’s Cooking in the Land of Dream Teams?
The event didn’t just stop at individual accolades; it doubled down with the announcement of the 2024 Dream Team XVs. Spoiler alert: South Africa’s male players had a roaring time, dominating the men’s selection while the English ladies swept the board on the women’s side. It’s as if someone said, “We need more South Africans in rugby,” and the collective cries from the Springboks echoed through the air!
But, speaking of springing surprises, let’s talk about Ox Nche. This man was so snubbed for the World Rugby Player of the Year nomination that one could reclassify it as a travesty! Yet, he still made the Dream Team! It’s like being invited to a party but only getting a half-eaten sandwich instead of the whole buffet. Let’s just say that sometimes rugby decisions can leave you scratching your head!
The Not-So-Secret Ingredients of the Dream Team
In the men’s Dream Team, we have a fitting lineup featuring the astonishing Pieter-Steph du Toit along with his Springbok buddies including the tartan-clad Malcolm Marx and the ever-so-serious Eben Etzebeth. The second-row features Tadhg Beirne from Ireland and the one and only Pablo Matera, amidst a strong warrant for him being the only representative from Argentina. The poor guy must have been sweating bullets after Los Pumas achieved a best-ever finish in the Rugby Championship—someone send him a medal for just being fabulous!
It’s also a pleasure to see Damian McKenzie around, and with him pulling the strings at fly-half while Jesse Kriel and Damian de Allende form the most capped centre pairings in South African history, it’s safe to say that the New Zealand and Ireland boys better sharpen their game or be left in the proverbial dust!
Women’s Dream Team Highlights the Roses’ Power
Now, onto the Women’s side—where England simply cleaned up, much like your nan at a Sunday roast! Six players, including the dazzling Ellie Kildunne, ended up in the Dream Team. It’s as if they said, “Let’s ensure we grab the spotlight!” alongside an impressive showing from the Black Ferns and Canada—who claimed three spots as well. It’s a well-deserved celebration, giving fans a reason to cheer for their beloved rugby stars.
Men’s 15s Dream Team of the Year
1 Ox Nche (South Africa), 2 Malcolm Marx (South Africa), 3 Tyrel Lomax (New Zealand), 4 Eben Etzebeth (South Africa), 5 Tadhg Beirne (Ireland), 6 Pablo Matera (Argentina), 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit (South Africa), 8 Caelan Doris (Ireland), 9 Jamison Gibson-Park (Ireland), 10 Damian McKenzie (New Zealand), 11 James Lowe (Ireland), 12 Damian de Allende (South Africa), 13 Jesse Kriel (South Africa), 14 Cheslin Kolbe (South Africa), 15 Will Jordan (New Zealand).
Women’s 15s Dream Team of the Year
1 Hope Rogers (USA), 2 Georgia Ponsonby (New Zealand), 3 Maud Muir (England), 4 Zoe Aldcroft (England), 5 Laetitia Royer (Canada), 6 Aoife Wafer (Ireland), 7 Sophie de Goede (Canada), 8 Alex Matthews (England), 9 Pauline Bourdon Sansus (France), 10 Holly Aitchison (England), 11 Katelyn Vahaakolo (New Zealand), 12 Alex Tessier (Canada), 13 Sylvia Brunt (New Zealand), 14 Abby Dow (England), 15 Ellie Kildunne (England).
So, there you have it! Rugby’s finest stood upon that grand Monaco stage—a glorious night filled with awe, pride, and probably a touch of rivalry among teams. Rugby may be a beautiful game of chaos and camaraderie, but let’s be real: it’s also a stage for the glitterati! Now, who’s ready for a glass of bubbly? 🍾
Springboks forward Pieter-Steph du Toit and the Red Roses’ standout performer Ellie Kildunne emerged as the standout figures at the World Rugby Awards ceremony held on Sunday, both being awarded the prestigious titles of Men’s and Women’s Player of the Year.
The illustrious event, hosted in the glamorous setting of Monaco, also provided a platform for World Rugby to announce the two 2024 Dream Team XVs, showcasing the dominance of the Springboks in the men’s category and England in the women’s.
South Africa leads the World Rugby 15s Dream Team of the Year
Despite a disappointing absence from the nominations for the World Rugby Player of the Year, Springboks prop Ox Nche earned a well-deserved place in the Dream Team, standing alongside his teammate Malcolm Marx and the consistently impressive All Blacks tighthead Tyrel Lomax.
Player of the Year nominee Eben Etzebeth secured a notable spot in the second-row next to Ireland’s Tadhg Beirne, while Pablo Matera notably made the list as the sole Argentine representative, securing a position at number six despite the Los Pumas’ historic best-ever finish in the Rugby Championship. Matera’s inclusion comes at the expense of World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year Wallace Sititi.
Recently crowned World Rugby Player of the Year du Toit completes the Springbok presence in the Dream Team pack, with the back-row rounded out by Ireland’s Caelan Doris, who notably missed out on the top individual accolade.
In the backs, Ireland’s Jamison Gibson-Park was selected as scrum-half, pairing with All Blacks’ playmaker Damian McKenzie at fly-half, while the midfield showcases South Africa’s most capped centre duo – Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel, both instrumental in their team’s success.
James Lowe rounds off the representation from Ireland in the XV and is accompanied in the back three by Player of the Year nominee Cheslin Kolbe and All Blacks star Will Jordan, who impressively surpassed the legendary Jonah Lomu’s career try tally during a match against Italy.
Meanwhile, England showcased their strength by dominating the Women’s Dream Team, which comprised six players, including Player of the Year and dynamic full-back Kildunne, alongside standout talents like winger Abby Dow, fly-half Holly Aitchison, number eight Alex Matthews, lock Zoe Aldcroft, and prop Maud Muir.
Three remarkable players from the Black Ferns made the final selection, including centre Sylvia Brunt, winger Katelyn Vahaakolo, and hooker Georgia Ponsonby. Canada also secured three spots with centre Alex Tessier, back-rower Sophie de Goede, and lock Laetitia Royer showcasing their growing prowess in women’s rugby.
The women’s team is further rounded out by France’s scrum-half Pauline Bourdon Sansus, Ireland’s flanker Aoife Wafer, and USA’s prop Hope Rogers, reflecting the global talent present in women’s rugby today.
World Rugby Men’s 15s Dream Team of the Year
15 Will Jordan (New Zealand), 14 Cheslin Kolbe (South Africa), 13 Jesse Kriel (South Africa), 12 Damian de Allende (South Africa), 11 James Lowe (Ireland), 10 Damian McKenzie (New Zealand), 9 Jamison Gibson-Park (Ireland), 8 Caelan Doris (Ireland), 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit (South Africa), 6 Pablo Matera (Argentina), 5 Tadhg Beirne (Ireland), 4 Eben Etzebeth (South Africa), 3 Tyrel Lomax (New Zealand), 2 Malcolm Marx (South Africa), 1 Ox Nche (South Africa)
World Rugby Women’s 15s Dream Team of the Year
15 Ellie Kildunne (England), 14 Abby Dow (England), 13 Sylvia Brunt (New Zealand), 12 Alex Tessier (Canada), 11 Katelyn Vahaakolo (New Zealand), 10 Holly Aitchison (England), 9 Pauline Bourdon Sansus (France), 8 Alex Matthews (England), 7 Sophie de Goede (Canada), 6 Aoife Wafer (Ireland), 5 Laetitia Royer (Canada), 4 Zoe Aldcroft (England), 3 Maud Muir (England), 2 Georgia Ponsonby (New Zealand), 1 Hope Rogers (USA)
How does the inclusion of players from various nations in the Women’s Dream Team reflect the evolution of women’s rugby?
Ers from the Red Roses. The stellar performance of England’s women was underscored by standout player Ellie Kildunne, who not only secured her place in the Dream Team but also shined at the World Rugby Awards as one of the most celebrated athletes of the year.
The Women’s Dream Team saw contributions from various nations, with Hope Rogers of the USA and representatives from New Zealand, Canada, and France joining the English contingent. The lineup features players who have made significant impacts in their respective teams, reflecting the growing diversity and talent in women’s rugby.
As the evening unfolded under the sparkling lights of Monaco, the camaraderie among players from different countries was palpable, showcasing the spirit of rugby that transcends borders. The atmosphere was one of celebration, recognition, and a shared love for the sport that has brought so many together.
Now, with the World Rugby Awards behind us, we look forward to an exciting year ahead in rugby, filled with fierce competition, standout performances, and perhaps even more surprises. Here’s to the players who continue to elevate the game and inspire the next generation of rugby stars! 🏉✨
