Sevens stars celebrated at World Rugby Sevens Series awards in LA

The men’s HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2022 Award winners were announced following a spectacular conclusion to the Series which saw Australia clinch the Series crown for the first time

The men’s HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2022 Award winners were announced on Sunday following a spectacular conclusion to the Series which saw Australia clinch the Series title in Los Angeles, USA.

The outstanding performers of the 2022 Series were honoured at a ceremony held at the Torrance Marriot Redondo Beach hotel on Sunday evening following the ninth and final round of the men’s 2022 Series.

The awards recognise and celebrate the players and teams who have performed at the highest level across the 2022 Series and produced the most memorable moments that thrilled and inspired fans around the globe. 

Aside from the Men’s Try of the Series, which was voted for by fans on social media from a list of three nominees, winners have been selected by the World Rugby Sevens Series Awards panel, comprising former international sevens players and Series commentators, across the eight categories. 

MEN’S HSBC WORLD RUGBY SEVENS SERIES 2022 AWARDS WINNERS 

Rookie of the Year: Corey Toole (Australia) 

Nominees: Henry Paterson (Australia) and Dietrich Roache (Australia) 

This award goes to a player who has made their HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series debut in the current season and delivered an outstanding performance.

All three nominees came from Australia with the winner Corey Toole the only one of the trio not to have previously featured at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020.

Toole made his Series debut for Australia sevens at the first round of the 2022 Series in Dubai, alongside his fellow nominees Henry Paterson and Dietrich Roache.

Toole finished the Series as the second leading try scorer with 43 tries, breaking the record for an Australian player and also the most by a rookie player in 2022.

Gilbert Top Try-scorer: Terry Kennedy (Ireland)

After scoring an incredible 50 tries across the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2022, Ireland’s Terry Kennedy won the Gilbert Top Try Scorer award, matching the achievement of compatriot Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe who topped the women’s Series scoring charts this year.  

Try of the Series: Jamie Farndale (Scotland), v New Zealand in Toulouse 

Nominees: Henry Paterson (Australia) v New Zealand in London, Felipe Del Mestre (Argentina) v Fiji in Vancouver

Jamie Farndale’s try against New Zealand in Toulouse was voted by rugby fans worldwide as the Try of the Series. The other nominees were Henry Paterson for the overtime try against New Zealand in London that gave Australia their first title since Sydney 2018, and Argentina’s Felipe Del Mestre against Fiji in Vancouver on the way to winning their first title since San Diego 2009.

Don’t Crack Under Pressure Award: Henry Paterson (Australia)

This award is given to the player or team who has shown the ability to perform under the unique and intense pressure of top-level rugby sevens. This award was voted for by the panel and went to Henry Paterson for his match winning try in overtime against New Zealand in the London Cup final. 

DHL Impact Player: Corey Toole (Australia)  

This award is for the player who demonstrated the most consistency and delivered the greatest impact against four key criteria – carries, offloads, line-breaks and tackles.  

This year’s winner was Corey Toole of Australia, who made 161 runs, 75 tackles and 45 breaks throughout the season. 

Capgemini Leadership Award: Argentina

This award celebrates the team that has upped its performance and climbed the rankings throughout the season. Results have been tracked throughout all the rounds, and Argentina have ranked first in the 2022 Series, which included only their third ever title, and first since 2009, as they overcame Fiji in an epic final in Vancouver.

HSBC Dream Team: Corey Toole (Australia), Terry Kennedy (Ireland), Marcos Moneta (Argentina), Nick Malouf (Australia), Waisea Nacuqu (Fiji), Luciano Gonzalez (Argentina), Zain Davids (South Africa)

Fair Play Award: Japan