The World Rugby Men's 15s Player of the Year is an award presented annually by World Rugby at the World Rugby Awards.[1] It is given to honour "the achievements of those involved at the highest level of the world game on the field".[1] First presented in 2001,[2] it was initially named the IRB International Player of the Year; from 2007 until 2014 it was the IRB Player of the Year and in 2014 it was titled World Rugby Player of the Year, before being given its current name in 2016.[2]
The first winner of the award was IrelandhookerKeith Wood. The winner for 2023 was New ZealandArdie Savea. New Zealand players have received the most awards, winning ten times. Two players have won three times – flankerRichie McCaw (2006, 2009 and 2010) and fly-halfDan Carter (2005, 2012 and 2015). Nominations for the award are dominated by players from Tier 1 nations; only United States' Joe Taufete'e has ever been nominated from a Tier 2 side. Fly-halves have won the award most often, with seven wins, followed by flankers with five.
Winners and nominees
Winners and nominees of the World Rugby Men's 15s Player of the Year