World Rugby is today unveiling the shortlists for the prestigious World Rugby Awards 2022, which will be presented in Monaco on Sunday, 20 November.
Following a stellar year for international rugby culminating in a record-breaking Rugby World Cup 2021 in New Zealand, nominees for the sport’s ultimate accolade feature players, coaches and unsung heroes who have made their mark on 2022 both on and off the field.
Selected by the star-studded World Rugby Awards panels, nominees in nine categories will be announced throughout the day on World Rugby social media channels (@WorldRugby) and the World Rugby Media Zone. The other categories to be awarded on Sunday are the World Rugby Referee Award, World Rugby Coach of the Year, Vernon Pugh Award for Distinguished Service and the popular World Rugby Men’s and Women’s 15s Dream Teams of the Year in partnership with Capgemini.
Fans can cast their vote on social media and select their winners for the two International Rugby Players Men’s and Women’s Try of the Year categories until Thursday, 17 November at 23:59 GMT.
Twelve countries are represented among the nominees in Australia, Canada, Chile, England, Fiji, France, Italy, New Zealand, Scotland, South Africa and Wales, with Ireland having the most representatives with eight. Australia are also rewarded for their performances on the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series and at Rugby World Cup Sevens this year with five nominees in the Men’s and Women’s Sevens Player of the Year categories.
Returning to a physical format for the first time since the pandemic, the 22nd World Rugby Awards will be handed to their recipients on 20 November from 19:30 CET. Stars and legends from 15s and Sevens will gather in the iconic Salle des Étoiles for a magnificent ceremony under the High Patronage of HSH Princess Charlene of Monaco. The global rugby family can follow the red carpet and evening of celebration on World Rugby social platforms (@WorldRugby).
World Rugby Chairman Sir Bill Beaumont said: “The World Rugby Awards are the ultimate accolades for rugby, and we are delighted to honour the outstanding players and individuals who have made an impact on our game on and off the field in 2022.
“On behalf of World Rugby, I would like to congratulate all nominees of this 22nd edition for their incredible achievements over the past calendar year. Not only have they showcased tremendous rugby skills, but they have also inspired millions of fans around the world helping spread the values of our sport.
“I am looking forward to host the global rugby family next Sunday under the high patronage of HSH Princess Charlene of Monaco and the Principality for a night of celebration in Monte-Carlo.”
Media and photographers interested in covering the event can register for accreditation by sending an email to media@worldrugby.org.
World Rugby Women’s 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year in partnership with Tudor (To be unveiled on 14 November at 9:00 GMT):
- Maud Muir (ENG)
- Vitalina Naikore (FIJ)
- Maiakawanakaulani Roos (NZL)
- Ruby Tui (NZL)
Already a star in sevens, Ruby Tui took 15s by storm in 2022, scoring eight tries in nine tests ahead of the RWC 2021 final. Black Ferns team-mate Maiakawanakaulani Roos, meanwhile, cemented her place in the New Zealand second-row with a string of commanding performances. Roos is the youngest player on the list, born 15 days after England prop Maud Muir, who featured in all 13 of the Red Roses’ matches in 2022. Vitalina Naikore was one of the standout players for Fijiana in both their victorious Oceania Rugby Women’s Championship campaign and debut appearance at Rugby World Cup.
World Rugby Men’s 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year in partnership with Tudor (To be unveiled on 14 November at 9:30 GMT):
- Henry Arundell (ENG)
- Ange Capuozzo (ITA)
- Mark Hansen (IRE)
- Dan Sheehan (IRE)
Three back-three players who have set pulses racing over the past year and an exciting hooker make up the nominees. Having broken into the Ireland team during the men’s Six Nations, Dan Sheehan and Mack Hansen each played an integral role in the series win against New Zealand in July. Italy full-back Ange Capuozzo scored twice on his debut and then set up the match-winning try as the Azzurri secured a first win against Wales in 15 years. Henry Arundell made an instant impact on test rugby, scoring a try within six minutes of coming on to win his first England cap, against Australia in July.
World Rugby Coach of the Year
- Andy Farrell, Ireland Men’s 15s
- Fabien Galthié, France Men’s 15s
- Simon Middleton England Women’s 15s
- Wayne Smith, New Zealand Women’s 15s
This year’s nominees are an equal split between coaches working in the men’s and women’s games. Wayne Smith led the Black Ferns to a sixth Rugby World Cup triumph, and first on home soil, beating England in the final. Under Simon Middleton’s guidance, the Red Roses had put together a world-record 30-match winning run until that defeat, completing a fourth successive Women’s Six Nations clean sweep along the way. In the men’s game, Andy Farrell masterminded a first Irish series win in New Zealand, as well as the team’s rise to the top of the rankings. Fabien Galthié, meanwhile, oversaw a Six Nations Grand Slam with France and has guided Les Bleues on a country-record unbeaten run.
- International Rugby Players Women’s Try of the Year (To be unveiled on 14 November at 12:00 GM)
- International Rugby Players Men’s Try of the Year (To be unveiled on 14 November at 12:30 GMT)
- World Rugby Women’s Sevens Player of the Year in partnership with HSBC (To be unveiled on 14 November at 14:00 GMT)
- World Rugby Men’s Sevens Player of the Year in partnership with HSBC (To be unveiled on 14 November at 14:30 GMT)
- World Rugby Men’s 15s Player of the Year in partnership with Mastercard (To be unveiled on 14 November at 18:00 GMT)
- World Rugby Women’s 15s Player of the Year in partnership with Mastercard( To be unveiled on 14 November at 18:30 GMT)
Categories to be awarded on Sunday, 20 November, 2022
- World Rugby Referee Award
- International Rugby Players Special Merit Award
- Vernon Pugh Award for Distinguished Service
- World Rugby Men’s 15s Dream Team of the Year in partnership with Capgemini
- World Rugby Women’s 15s Dream Team of the Year in partnership with Capgemini
