Rugby Union - Rugby World Cup 2023 - Quarter Final - Ireland v New Zealand - Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France - October 14, 2023 Ireland's Bundee Aki in action with New Zealand's Brodie Retallick REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier/File Photo
PARIS (Reuters) - Ireland centre Bundee Aki is among four nominees for the World Rugby men's player of the year along with France captain Antoine Dupont and World Cup finalists Eben Etzebeth from South Africa and New Zealand’s Ardie Sevea, officials announced on Thursday.
The winner will be named in Paris on Sunday, the day after the Springboks and All Blacks meet in the World Cup final.
Aki had a superb tournament in France despite Ireland’s customary quarter-final exit and led the attack stats through the pool phase, while scrumhalf Dupont, who won the award in 2021, could not lead his side to victory on home soil.
Lock Etzebeth will be a strong candidate with his powerful displays in the second row a feature of the Springboks’ form this year, but loose-forward Sevea has been outstanding too and a key player for the All Blacks.
The nominations for breakthrough player of the year include two New Zealanders in wing Mark Tele'a and prop Tamaiti Williams.
South Africa flyhalf Manie Libbok, who did not make his side’s match-day 23 for the World Cup final on Saturday, and French wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey are the other nominees.
Fiji's Simon Raiwalui is in the running for coach of the year after leading his side to a World Cup quarter-final and victory over England at Twickenham.
But it is likely the winner come from one of Andy Farrell (Ireland), Ian Foster (New Zealand) or Jacques Nienaber (South Africa).
The nominees for women’s player of the year, and several other categories, will be announced after the Nov. 4 finish of the WXV tournament that is being staged in New Zealand.
(Reporting by Nick Said; Editing by Christian Radnedge)
