French clean sweep leaves Boks empty handed at World Rugby awards
France have produced a clean sweep of World Rugby try of the year awards, winning both the men’s and women’s international try of the year.
Damian Penaud won the men’s award for his try against Scotland in the final round of the Six Nations this year, while Emilie Boulard won the women’s award for her try against Wales.
This Gallic theme could be a sign of things to come, with Antoine Dupont up for men’s 15s player of the year and Caroline Boujard and Laure Sansus both up for women’s 15s player of the year. This also means no player from South Africa will win an award this year as only Lukhanyo Am was nominated, for try of the year, despite his team sitting at number on in the world rankings.
Take a look at both tries:
WORLD RUGBY AWARDS 2021 NOMINEES
World Rugby Men’s 15s Player of the Year in association with Mastercard
Antoine Dupont (France)
Michael Hooper (Australia)
Maro Itoje (England/British and Irish Lions)
Samu Kerevi (Australia)
World Rugby Women’s 15s Player of the Year in association with Mastercard
Zoe Aldcroft (England)
Caroline Boujard (France)
Laure Sansus (France)
Poppy Cleall (England)
World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year in association with Tudor
Will Jordan (New Zealand)
Andrew Kellaway (Australia)
Louis Rees-Zammit (Wales)
Marcus Smith (England)
World Rugby Coach of the Year
Allan Bunting/Cory Sweeney (New Zealand Women’s Sevens)
Ian Foster (New Zealand Men)
Simon Middleton (England Women)
Dave Rennie (Australia Men)
World Rugby Men’s Sevens Player of the Year in association with HSBC
Napolioni Bolaca (Fiji)
Scott Curry (New Zealand)
Marcos Moneta (Argentina)
Jiuta Wainiqolo (Fiji)
World Rugby Women’s Sevens Player of the Year in association with HSBC
Anne-Cécile Ciofani (France)
Sarah Hirini (New Zealand)
Alowesi Nakoci (Fiji)
Reapi Ulunisau (Fiji)
International Rugby Players Men’s Try of the Year
Lukhanyo Am (South Africa, v British and Irish Lions on 31 July)
Pierre-Louis Barassi (France, v Australia on 17 July)
Luke Jacobson (New Zealand, v Argentina on 12 September)
Damian Penaud (France, v Scotland on 26 March)
International Rugby Players Women’s Try of the Year
Sara Barattin (Italy, v Scotland on 13 September)
Emilie Boulard (France, v Wales on 3 April)
Abby Dow (England, v France on 24 April)
Romane Ménager (France, v Ireland on 17 April)
