27 Nov 2017

Black Ferns make history at World Rugby awards

5:23 pm on 27 November 2017

There was nothing particularly historic about New Zealand dominating the World Rugby Awards held in Monaco on Monday morning (NZ time), but that doesn't mean history wasn't made.

New Zealand bagged no less than six pieces of silverware at a glitzy ceremony hosted by the tiny prinicpality in the south of France, including a second consecutive men's player of the year award for Beauden Barrett.

There was, however, a couple of significant firsts for our top women's players.

Having had a run of four straight World Cup triumphs halted by England in 2014, the Black Ferns were a team on a mission when they arrived in Ireland for this year's tournament.

Five matches and 17 days later, order had been restored. New Zealand were women's world champions once more.

The tournament smashed records for viewership across television, online and social media platforms and for their role at the forefront of that spike in popularity the Black Ferns have been named World Rugby team of the year.

It is the first time in the awards' 17-year history a women's team has bagged that prize and midfielder Kelly Brazier said the satisfaction was immense.

"It's been massive. [The] 2010 highlight and then the heartbreak in 2014.

"To come back and win this one, women's rugby has just gone to a whole new level. The pace, the speed and the athletes playing it, it's just gone to a whole new level."

Case in point to Brazier's comments about the brilliant athletes that grace the women's game today is her team-mate Portia Woodman.

A wing with power and pace to burn, Woodman set the World Cup alight with 13 tries.

That included an eye-pooping eight tries in one game and a stunning solo effort in the semifinal victory over the USA that left the commentators grasping for superlatives.

Given she is also a star member of the New Zealand women's sevens side, it was hardly a surprise Woodman also came to the stage in Monaco to collect the prize for women's player of the year.

It was a special moment for Woodman which came after another team-mate, Michaela Blyde, had bagged the women's sevens player of the year award.

Born in the small Northland town of Kaikohe and a proud Maori, Woodman said although her involvement with the game now has her jet-setting to all corners of the world, she never forgets what playing for her country means to her.

"As soon as I made [New Zealand[ team for sevens, my parents gave me a hangi rock, which is one of the rocks we have back home up north, to either stick in my boot or just to have with me wherever I go.

"Just so I have a little bit of dirt from New Zealand travelling with me around the world."

Another player with plenty of speed is Beauden Barrett, who was also left smiling after picking up the highest individual honour in the men's game for the second year running, beating out team-mate Rieko Ioane for the gong.

All Black first five Beauden Barrett

All Black first five Beauden Barrett Photo: Photosport

The first-five is one of three brothers who have played for the All Blacks this year alongside lock Scott and utility back Jordie.

But Barrett said being world player of the year won't get him too many favours come the holiday season in the Barrett household.

"Nah, as soon as you get home no-one really cares about that.

"It's probably the good thing about growing up on a farm in Taranaki, it's really humbling. Mum and dad bring you back down to earth pretty quickly."

Despite missing out on the top prize, young wing Ioane did not go home empty handed as he claimed the breakthrough player of the year.

But one person who did leave the annual awards empty handed for a change was Steve Hansen, with the All Blacks mentor missing out to England's Eddie Jones for coach of the year.

Jones, however, felt it should have been the other way around and says the award won't exactly be taking pride of place on his mantelpiece.

England rugby coach Eddie Jones.

England rugby coach Eddie Jones. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

"I must admit I feel a bit embarrassed getting it. We're not the No 1 team in the world, I think Steve Hansen should be up here.

"But someone's judged it another way so I accept it. We want to be No 1 team in the world and until we are No 1 team in the world we haven't got anything to crow about."

While it wasn't necessarily an award to cherish for Jones, you can be sure the Black Ferns, Woodman and the rest of the New Zealand winners certainly finished their 2017 season as grinners.