Will you regain some of the frustration? Despite the elimination in the quarter-finals of the 2023 Rugby World Cup, a third of the World Rugby team of the year is made up of French players. France is the most represented nation, tied with Ireland, with five players: left prop Cyril Baille, third row Charles Ollivon, scrum-half Antoine Dupont, winger Damian Penaud and full-back Thomas Ramos .
Curiously, only one South African world champion appears there: second row Eben Etzebeth. Even the title of coach of the year eludes Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber, ahead of Andy Farrell, who led Ireland to the Grand Slam in the Tournament.
Savea best player
The supreme prize of the World Rugby Awards, the title of player of the year, went to New Zealander Ardie Savea. “I really appreciated his development and his impact on the team this last season. They were in difficulty and he embodied, in addition to Sam Cane, the leadership of the All Blacks through his influence on the group and on the field,” assured former Blues captain Thierry Dusautoir to several media.