Barrett and Woodman named World Rugby Players of the Year 2017

Beauden Barrett and Portia Woodman have been named World Rugby Men’s and Women’s Player of the Year 2017 respectively at the World Rugby Awards in Monte Carlo on Sunday.

Barrett becomes only the second player to win the prestigious award two years in a row, matching the achievement of his former All Blacks captain Richie McCaw from 2009-10.

He received the award ahead of four other nominees in All Blacks team-mate Rieko Ioane, England and British Lions duo Owen Farrell and Maro Itoje and Australia full-back Israel Folau

New Zealand winger Portia Woodman was named the World Rugby Women’s Player of the Year 2017 after helping the Black Ferns win a fifth Women’s Rugby World Cup title in Ireland in August.

She received the award ahead of four other nominees in Black Ferns team-mate Kelly Brazier, England winger Lydia Thompson and France back-row duo Romane Menager and Safi N’Diaye.

Full list of World Rugby Awards winners

World Rugby Men’s Player of the Year – Beauden Barrett (New Zealand)
World Rugby Women’s Player of the Year – Portia Woodman (New Zealand)
World Rugby Team of the Year – New Zealand Women’s 15s
World Rugby Coach of the Year – Eddie Jones (England)
World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year – Rieko Ioane (New Zealand)
World Rugby Men’s Sevens Player of the Year – Perry Baker (USA)
World Rugby Women’s Sevens Player of the Year – Michaela Blyde (New Zealand)
World Rugby Referee Award – Joy Neville (Ireland)
Vernon Pugh Award for Distinguished Service – Marcel Martin (France)
Award for Character – Eduardo Oderigo (Argentina)
IRPA Special Merit Award – Richie McCaw (New Zealand) and Rachael Burford (England)
IRPA Try of the Year – Joaquin Tuculet (Argentina, v England)