News

PWR players honoured to make shortlists for World Rugby Awards

Following a stellar year for international rugby, the esteemed World Rugby Awards panels have selected nominees in eight categories with the eventual winners to be announced during the World Rugby Awards ceremony on 24 November in Monaco.

The star-studded shortlists include 28 international players who have left their mark in 2024 by showcasing exceptional skills and achievements. The selected nominees will be part of a glittering guest list in Monaco, featuring generations of rugby greats and special guests from the global rugby family.

Fans will also be given their say on the outcome, with online voting open until 20 November 17:00 at www.world.rugby/awards/toty to determine the winner of the International Rugby Players Men’s and Women’s 15s Try of the Year categories.

The global rugby family can follow the red carpet and evening of celebration on World Rugby social platforms, including Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube (@WorldRugby).

World Rugby Chief Executive Alan Gilpin said: “On behalf of World Rugby, I would like to warmly congratulate all nominees selected today and thank them for their contribution to the advancement of our sport. In a calendar year that saw fantastic 15s tournaments and sevens competitions including a groundbreaking Olympics Games in Paris, they have shone brightly and inspired fans worldwide, showcasing the best of our sport and its values.

“We look forward to uniting our global family in Monaco for the fourth time under the High Patronage of H.S.H Princess Charlene of Monaco, and presenting a wider cast of winners with the ultimate accolades in rugby – the World Rugby Awards.”

WORLD RUGBY AWARDS 2024 | NOMINEES

WOMEN’S 15S

World Rugby Women’s 15s Player of the Year

Pauline Bourdon Sansus (FRA)
Ellie Kildunne (ENG)
Alex Matthews (ENG)
Alex Tessier (CAN)

Two players from England’s all-conquering Red Roses and one each from France and Canada make up the list. Ellie Kildunne has become the face of John Mitchell’s England as they prepare for their home Women’s Rugby World Cup, scoring 14 tries in only 10 tests this year. Number eight Alex Matthews has not been far behind her, though, and led England to victory in her first match as captain, against USA in September. Pauline Bourdon Sansus, meanwhile, continues to be the driving force for France, starting eight of Les Bleues’ nine matches in 2024. A key part of Canada’s World Rugby Pacific Four Series success, Alex Tessier scored 22 points at WXV 1 as the hosts pushed England all the way.

“Two players from England’s all-conquering Red Roses and one each from France and Canada make up the list. ”
World Rugby

World Rugby Women’s 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year

Caitlyn Halse (AUS)
Maddie Feaunati (ENG)
Erin King (IRE)
Hannah King (NZL)

Four players who have had a remarkable impact during their first year in the international game. Caitlyn Halse became the youngest Australian – male or female – to play test rugby when she won her first cap at 17 years, 242 days old in May and was an ever-present as the Wallaroos won WXV 2. Maddie Feaunati, meanwhile, helped England to a Women’s Six Nations and WXV 1 double in 2024 and has looked at home in a ridiculously talented Red Roses back row. Another flanker, Olympian Erin King was Ireland’s match-winner against New Zealand in September, while namesake Hannah has made the Black Ferns’ number 10 jersey her own, scoring 14 points in seven matches.

International Rugby Players Women’s 15s Try of the Year

Alyssa D’Incà (Italy v Scotland, Women’s Six Nations, 20 April)
Georgia Ponsonby (New Zealand v Australia, Pacific Four Series, 25 May)
Maya Stewart (Australia v Wales, WXV, 28 September)
Marine Ménager (France v Canada, WXV, 29 September)

One try each from the Women’s Six Nations, World Rugby Pacific Four Series, WXV 1 and WXV 2 make up this year’s nominees. Playing in the centre against Scotland in April, Alyssa D’Incà displayed all her try-scoring nous to hit a brilliant line and slice through a defence that had been pulled out of shape. She then showed composure to step inside two players and score. Georgia Ponsonby’s try against Australia in May had it all, from Sylvia Brunt’s stunning break, leaving defenders strewn in her wake, to the hands of Iritana Hohaia and Amy du Plessis and the finish from the hooker.

The first offering from WXV was scored by Maya Stewart against Wales. Receiving the ball inside her own half, the Wallaroos winger burst through two tackles and then slalomed past another three on her way to the line. The following day in Vancouver, Lina Queyroi and Marine Ménager caught the Canada defence napping. After a stunning 50:22, Queyroi found the winger with a quick lineout and Ménager did the rest.

SEVENS

World Rugby Women’s Sevens Player of the Year in partnership with HSBC

Michaela Blyde (NZL)
Maddison Levi (AUS)
Jorja Miller (NZL)

The three-player shortlist features two women who were nominated 12 months ago, Michaela Blyde and Maddison Levi, alongside Black Ferns Sevens star Jorja Miller. Levi scored a scarcely believable 69 tries – including a hat-trick in the HSBC SVNS Grand Final victory against France – during the 2024 series and followed that up with another 14 at the Olympic Games in Paris. Blyde and Miller were both standout performers in the New Zealand team that defended their Olympic title at Paris 2024, having finished the SVNS regular season as League Winners. Blyde, who won this award in 2017 and 2018, scored 53 SVNS tries and a further 10 at the Games, both totals second only to Levi.

Other categories with winners announced on 24 November