New Zealand flyhalf Dan Carter received his third World Rugby Player of the Year award on Sunday, 10 years after his first.
Also the recipient in 2012, Carter became only the second three-time winner, beside his captain, Richie McCaw.
Both of them led the All Blacks to a record third Rugby World Cup triumph on Saturday, in what was expected to be their last Test match.
After 112 Tests and a world-record Test tally of 1,598 points, Carter will shortly take up a three-year contract at Racing Metro club in Paris.
He was on a six-man shortlist for World Rugby’s award, along with New Zealand teammate Julian Savea, Australia flankers David Pocock and Michael Hooper, Scotland captain Greig Laidlaw and Wales lock Alun Wyn Jones.
The All Blacks were named Team of the Year, and Australia’s Michael Cheika Coach of the Year.
Cheika was appointed less than a year ago, and revived the Wallabies to win their first Rugby Championship in four years, and reach the World Cup final.
Savea came away with the try of the year for the second of his three tries against France in the World Cup quarter-finals, which saw him run through two defenders and brush off a third in a charge to the line.
Teammate and fellow winger Nehe Milner-Skudder was given the Breakthrough Player of the Year award after scoring eight tries in eight Tests — including six at the World Cup — in his first season of international rugby with New Zealand.
He scored the first try in the World Cup final.
New Zealand’s Kendra Cocksedge was named Women’s Player of the Year, and the sevens players awards were given to South Africa’s Werner Kok, and New Zealand’s Portia Woodman.
In other developments, Sonny Bill Williams got to take home a gold medal from the Rugby World Cup after all.
The New Zealand center received a winner’s medal from McCaw at the World Rugby awards ceremony in London on Sunday, a day after giving his original one away to a child during the lap of honor around Twickenham following the 34-17 win over Australia.
Williams made the gesture after the boy was tackled to the ground by a security guard for jumping over the hoardings at Twickenham and entering the field.
“One gesture of generosity deserves another,” World Rugby said in a tweet.
Williams was given a standing ovation at the ceremony as he received his second gold medal.
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