The prestigious World Rugby Awards unfolded in the glamorous setting of Monaco on Sunday, honoring exceptional talents in the sport for their remarkable contributions throughout 2024.
In a thrilling celebration, South Africa’s Pieter-Steph du Toit secured the title of World Rugby Men’s 15s Player of the Year for the second time, having previously claimed the award in 2019. He triumphed over formidable contenders including his compatriots Eben Etzebeth and Cheslin Kolbe, as well as the celebrated Ireland captain, Caelan Doris.
Ellie Kildunne of England was celebrated as the World Rugby Women’s 15s Player of the Year, a fitting reward for her dazzling performances that have solidified the Red Roses’ dominance in women’s rugby. She triumphed over teammate Alex Matthews, while also facing tough competition from France’s Pauline Bourdon Sansus and Canada’s Alex Tessier.
Best youngsters
In the men’s breakthrough players category, Wallace Sititi emerged as the standout choice after an impressive season with the All Blacks. He made his first Test start against the Springboks during the Rugby Championship and rapidly established himself as a crucial player in the back row, showcasing his versatility by excelling in both blindside and number eight positions.
His competitors included promising talents such as Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu from South Africa, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso from England, and Jamie Osborne from Ireland, but it was Sititi who clearly captured the spotlight.
The women’s category presented a tighter race, featuring superb contributions from Maddie Feaunati (England), Caitlyn Halse (Australia), and Hannah King (New Zealand). Ultimately, the award was presented to Erin King from Ireland, underscoring her significant impact in the sport.
Meanwhile, despite a limited number of international appearances in XVs this year, French superstar Antoine Dupont was honored as the World Rugby Men’s Sevens Player of the Year. His strategic decision to focus on sevens paid off handsomely, culminating in a gold medal victory at the Olympics after a thrilling final against Fiji.
Coach of the year
France enjoyed another moment of glory as Jérôme Daret was named World Rugby Coach of the Year. Under his leadership, the French sevens team captured their first series title in 19 years with a stunning victory in Los Angeles in March, followed by a Grand Final triumph in Spain, and ultimately a gold medal at the home Olympics in Paris.
In contrast, Rassie Erasmus, the Springboks’ head coach, faced disappointment as he was passed over for the award, despite leading his team to their first Rugby Championship title since 2019 and achieving an impressive record of 11 wins and just two losses in 13 Tests.
Australian star Maddison Levi was recognized as the World Rugby Women’s Sevens Player of the Year, a testament to her outstanding performances throughout the year. Despite the national team’s disappointing Olympic campaign, where they failed to secure a medal after stunning defeats to Canada and the USA, Levi’s brilliance shone bright as she helped Australia clinch the SVNS Series championship for 2024 before making her mark at the Olympics.
Springboks star Pieter-Steph du Toit named World Rugby Men’s Player of the Year and follows in the footsteps of three All Blacks legends
World Rugby Awards winners and nominees
World Rugby Men’s 15s Player of the Year
Winner: Pieter-Steph du Toit (South Africa)
Nominees: Caelan Doris (Ireland), Eben Etzebeth (South Africa), Cheslin Kolbe (South Africa)
World Rugby Women’s 15s Player of the Year
Winner: Ellie Kildunne (England)
Nominees: Pauline Bourdon Sansus (France), Alex Matthews (England), Alex Tessier (Canada)
World Rugby Men’s Sevens Player of the Year
Winner: Antoine Dupont (France)
Nominees: Aaron Grandidier Nkanang (France), Terry Kennedy (Ireland)
World Rugby Women’s Sevens Player of the Year
Winner: Maddison Levi (Australia)
Nominees: Michaela Blyde (New Zealand), Jorja Miller (New Zealand)
World Rugby Men’s 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year
Winner: Wallace Sititi (New Zealand)
Nominees: Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (South Africa), Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (England), Jamie Osborne (Ireland)
World Rugby Women’s 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year
Winner: Erin King (Ireland)
Nominees: Maddie Feaunati (England), Caitlyn Halse (Australia), Hannah King (New Zealand)
International Rugby Players Men’s Try of the Year
Winner: Nolann Le Garrec (France, v England, Men’s Six Nations, 17 March)
Nominees: James Lowe (Ireland, v England, Men’s Six Nations), Lorenzo Pani (Italy, v Wales, Men’s Six Nations), Akaki Tabutsadze (Georgia, v Australia, July series)
International Rugby Players Women’s Try of the Year
Winner: Marine Ménager (France, v Canada, WXV 1, 29 September)
International Rugby Players Special Merit Award
Winner: Vickii Cornborough (England)
World Rugby Coach of the Year
Winner: Jérôme Daret (France)
What were the key achievements recognized at the 2024 World Rugby Awards?
**Interview with Rugby Analyst Sarah Mitchell on the 2024 World Rugby Awards**
**Interviewer:** Good evening, Sarah! Thank you for joining us today. The 2024 World Rugby Awards in Monaco celebrated tremendous achievements in rugby. What stood out to you the most this year?
**Sarah Mitchell:** Good evening! It’s great to be here. The most striking element for me was Pieter-Steph du Toit winning the World Rugby Men’s 15s Player of the Year for the second time. His performance this year, alongside a strong showing in previous years, solidifies his place as one of rugby’s elite players. Competing against such a talented field, including Eben Etzebeth and Caelan Doris, makes this win particularly impressive [[1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Rugby_Awards)].
**Interviewer:** Absolutely! Du Toit’s consistency is remarkable. On the women’s side, Ellie Kildunne was named the World Rugby Women’s 15s Player of the Year. What makes her performances stand out to you?
**Sarah Mitchell:** Ellie Kildunne has been a pivotal player for the Red Roses. Her performances not only helped secure victories for her team but also showcased her individual skills and leadership qualities. Competing against notable talents like Alex Matthews and Pauline Bourdon, Kildunne’s ability to rise above the competition was commendable [[1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Rugby_Awards)].
**Interviewer:** The awards also highlighted up-and-coming talent. Wallace Sititi was named breakthrough player of the year. What do you think about his potential?
**Sarah Mitchell:** Wallace Sititi had an impressive year with the All Blacks, particularly his versatility in the back row. Making his first Test start against the Springboks is no small feat, and he performed exceptionally well. I believe he represents the future of New Zealand rugby, and if he continues to develop his skills, he can be a cornerstone of the team’s success in the years to come [[1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Rugby_Awards)].
**Interviewer:** There was also recognition for Antoine Dupont, who was honored as the World Rugby Men’s Sevens Player of the Year. What are your thoughts on this recognition for a player who also focuses on XVs?
**Sarah Mitchell:** Dupont’s decision to focus on sevens this year was strategic, and it paid off spectacularly with an Olympic gold medal. His adaptability in excelling in different formats of the game highlights his exceptional talent. It’s fascinating to see such a crossover, and it opens up discussions about the value of sevens and the potential for players to shine in both disciplines [[1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Rugby_Awards)].
**Interviewer:** Lastly, Jérôme Daret received Coach of the Year honors. What did you think of his achievements with the French sevens team?
**Sarah Mitchell:** Jérôme Daret’s accomplishments are truly commendable. Leading the French team to their first series title in 19 years and culminating in Olympic success is a remarkable feat. It signifies a new era of strength for French rugby, not just in sevens but potentially in the broader context of the sport [[1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Rugby_Awards)].
**Interviewer:** Thank you for sharing your insights, Sarah! The future of rugby looks bright based on these awards.
**Sarah Mitchell:** Thank you for having me! It’s an exciting time for the sport, and I can’t wait to see how these players evolve in their careers.