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Monaco hosts the World Rugby Awards 2017

The World Rugby Awards was an amazing night of celebration in Monaco’s Salle des Étoiles. Stars of the rugby world gathered to reflect on the year’s highlights and recognize the achievements that made the last twelve months memorable on a global scale. New Zealand won the most awards. Under the High Patronage of HSH Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco, 12 prizes were awarded throughout the evening to rugby players, coaches and referees.

World Rugby Awards 2017
MONTE-CARLO, MONACO – NOVEMBER 26: Bill Beaumont the World Rugby Chairman addresses the guests during the World Rugby Awards 2017 in the Salle des Etoiles at Monte-Carlo Sporting Club on November 26, 2017 in Monte-Carlo, Monaco. (Photo by Eamonn McCormack – World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)

A bittersweet moment during the evening was when France’s Marcel Martin was honoured with the Vernon Pugh Award for Distinguished Service.  Marcel Martin passed away on 22 May at the age of 84 and was a strong force in the rugby world.  He helped create the World Cup and was one of its directors from 1987 to 2003.  He was also president of the professional rugby club union from 2004 to 2017 and treasurer of the National Rugby League from 2008 to 2017.

World Rugby Awards 2017
MONTE-CARLO, MONACO – NOVEMBER 26: A general view during the World Rugby Awards 2017 in the Salle des Etoiles at Monte-Carlo Sporting Club on November 26, 2017 in Monte-Carlo, Monaco. (Photo by Dave Rogers – World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)

Up against Owen Farrell (England), Beauden Barrett (New Zealand) won the World Rugby Men’s Player of the Year award.  The World Rugby Women’s Player of the Year was awarded to Portia Woodman, also from New Zealand and part of the team that won World Rugby Team of the Year.

Ireland’s Joy Neville, the first woman to referee a European match on 7 November (Bordeaux-Bègles – Enisei) won best referee. An award for the Try of the Year went to Argentinean Joaquin Tuculet for his decisive action against England in June, while Eduardo Oderigo won the prize for character.

World Rugby Awards 2017
MONTE-CARLO, MONACO – NOVEMBER 26: Beauden Barrett (C) of New Zealand receives the World Rugby Men’s Player of the Year Award in association with Mastercard from Bill Beaumont (L) the World Rugby Chairman and HSH Prince Albert of Monaco (R) during the World Rugby Awards 2017 in the Salle des Etoiles at Monte-Carlo Sporting Club on November 26, 2017 in Monte-Carlo, Monaco. (Photo by Dave Rogers – World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)

Here is the full list of winners for the 2017 World Rugby Awards:

World Rugby Men’s Player of the Year – Beauden Barrett, New Zealand

World Rugby Women’s Player of the Year – Portia Woodman, New Zealand

World Rugby Team of the Year – New Zealand Women’s 15s

World Rugby Coach of the Year – Eddie Jones, England

World Rugby Referee Award – Joy Neville, Ireland

IRPA Try of the Year – Joaquin Tuculet, Argentina

World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year – Rieko Ioane, New Zealand

World Rugby Men’s Sevens Player of the Year – Perry Baker, USA

World Rugby Women’s Sevens Player of the Year – Michaella Blyde, New Zealand

IRPA Special Merit Award – Rachael Burford, England and Richie McCaw, New Zealand

Award for Character – Eduardo “Coco” Oderigo, Argentina

Vernon Pugh Award for Distinguished Service – Marcel Martin, France

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