Newly crowned world champions England had more reasons to celebrate tonight after walking away with the three top prizes – International Player of the Year, Team of the Year and Coach of the Year – at the IRB Awards in Sydney’s Wharf 8 complex.
Jonny Wilkinson, whose drop goal in the last minute of extra time saw England lift the Webb Ellis Cup for the first time, was named IRB International Player of the Year in association with Heineken.
Clive Woodward was named IRB International Coach of the Year and England the IRB International Team of the Year after becoming the first Northern hemisphere team to lift the Webb Ellis Cup with a 20-17 defeat of defending champions Australia.
The glittering ceremony, which was shown live on Fox Sports, was attended by some of the great names of rugby past and present including John Eales, Gerald Davies, Gavin Hastings and Zinzan Brooke, together with the victorious England team.
Lasting memorial
Bob Stuart, the former All Black player, captain, coach and former member of the New Zealand Rugby Football Union Executive, was presented with the IRB Award for Distinguished Service having become a delegate to the IRB in 1978.
The IRB Development Award went to Tan Theany and Philippe Monnin for their work in introducing the game of rugby union to the young in Cambodia, while Michael and Linda Collinson collected the Spirit of Rugby Award.
The IRB Chairman’s Award was presented by Dr Syd Millar to Dorinda Pugh, the wife his late predecessor Vernon Pugh for whom he said “there can be no more fitting or lasting memorial to Vernon than Rugby World Cup 2003.”
Dr Millar also referred to Pugh’s “profound” influence on the game and said his “loss to rugby football is enormous” and that he felt “quite humble in following in his footsteps – they are mighty big shoes to fill”.
New Zealand received the IRB International Sevens Team of the Year for the third year of the awards, while new All Black Ben Atiga was named IRB International U21 Player of the Year.
The awards were specially designed and crafted by Waterford Crystal.
Fan-tastic!
The VISA RWC Fan-tastic XV – the team of the Tournament as voted by fans worldwide – has been revealed with five England players and four All Blacks making the final selection.
The voting closed at midday in Sydney today, when the votes were counted and the player that received the most votes from fans in each position slotted into the VISA RWC Fan-tastic XV.
All the players in the Fan-tastic XV will receive a trophy from Waterford Crystal.
VISA RWC Fan-tastic XV
1 - Jean Jacques Crenca (France)
2 - Keith Wood (Ireland)
3 - Phil Vickery (England)
4 - Martin Johnson (England)
5 - Chris Jack (New Zealand)
6 - George Smith (Australia)
7 - Richie McCaw (New Zealand)
8 - Lawrence Dallaglio (England)
9 - George Gregan (Australia)
10 - Jonny Wilkinson (England)
11 - Joe Rokocoko (New Zealand)
12 - Will Greenwood (England)
13 - Brian O'Driscoll (Ireland)
14 - Doug Howlett (New Zealand)
15 - Mils Muliaina (New Zealand)
Complete list of award winners
IRB International Player of the Year in association with Heineken: Jonny Wilkinson
IRB International Team of the Year: England
IRB International Coach of the Year: Clive Woodward
IRB International U19 Player of the Year: Jean Baptiste Peyras (France)
IRB International U21 Player of the Year in association with Waterford Crystal: Ben Atiga (New Zealand)
IRB International Sevens Team of the Year: New Zealand
Spirit of Rugby Award: Michael & Linda Collinson
IRB Award for Distinguished Service: Bob Stuart
IRB Referee Distinguished Service Award: Derek Bevan
IRB International Women’s Personality of the Year: Kathy Flores (USA Coach)
IRB Development Award: Tan Theany & Philippe Monnin
IRB Chairman’s Award: Vernon Pugh