Ireland scoop awards, Retallick gets best try

by Jonathan Cannon | November 26, 2018 | 14:35
Ireland scoop awards, Retallick gets best try

"I'm probably going to be the most pleased of anyone when it is finally made".

A headline in the New Zealand Herald this morning read, "All Blacks bombshell - Ireland coach Joe Schmidt makes shock announcement".

"Aphiwe has been sensational since making the step up to senior provincial rugby and after a superb debut season for the Emirates Lions in Vodacom Super Rugby, he was deservedly called up to the Springbok squad", said Mr Alexander. "The coaching group are contracted beyond next year's World Cup which again provides continuity for the players ahead of the 2020 Six Nations Championship".

"They have been No. 1 in the world for nine years now and they are obviously a fantastic outfit".

David Nucifora, the IRFU performance director, added: "Joe's contribution to Irish rugby is broader than just the success achieved with the national team".

"I'm just incredibly lucky to have the IRFU with the patience they have".

Schmidt admitted he was happy with the nature of Ireland's victory, in closing out a November series of four wins on the spin.

In doing so, Sexton becomes only the second Irishman in history to receive the award after legendary hooker Keith Wood in 2001.

South Africa's other nominees - Faf de Klerk and Malcolm Marx in the World Player of the Year category - lost out to Ireland flyhalf Jonny Sexton in the main award.




Barrett took home the award for the past two years but Sexton's stellar form could not be ignored this time around.

Sexton says if a number 10 wins an award like this it is due to the team around his.

"We have some of the best coaches in the world and are led superbly by me [Best] and Pete [O'Mahony, Ireland vice-captain]". It is an incredible honor.

"I admire all of them. Any of them would've been a worthy victor".

Sexton's drop goal against France gave Ireland a dramatic win in the opening game of their Grand Slam-winning Six Nations campaign.

Australia's Angus Gardner picked up the Referee Award, with Doddie Weir scooping the Award for Character.

Michaela Blyde won the women's Sevens player of the year crown, with Perry Baker taking the honours for the men.

All Blacks lock Brodie Retallick, a former Player of the Year, won the prize for the Try of the Year.

Related Articles

  • Amazon warehouse workers protest, say

    Amazon warehouse workers protest, say "We are not robots"

    Facebook and Twitter is replete with images with Amazon workers holding placards that read " Jeff Bezos , you're the richest man". They allege that the world's biggest online retail company is treating them like "robots" and not humans.
    UCF Knights Hit Top 10 in College Football Playoff Rankings

    UCF Knights Hit Top 10 in College Football Playoff Rankings

    Both teams have three wins against Power 5 opponents with winning records, including two CFP Top 25 teams . CFP executive director Bill Hancock has often said there is no glass ceiling on the Group of Five teams .
    98 million Indians will suffer from diabetes by 2030, says Study

    98 million Indians will suffer from diabetes by 2030, says Study

    Today, that figure nearly doubled at roughly 9% - and global population has also swollen by another three billion individuals. According to a new study , these changes will cause a dramatic increase in the number of people living with diabetes.
  • Roger Stone associate in plea talks with Mueller's team

    Roger Stone associate in plea talks with Mueller's team

    Mueller has brought such cases against four others, including former national security adviser Michael Flynn. Corsi provided research on Democratic figures during the campaign to Stone, a longtime Trump adviser.
    Mexico denies it will become a waiting area for asylum seekers

    Mexico denies it will become a waiting area for asylum seekers

    His tweets were interpreted as possible confirmation of the alleged deal between the USA and Obrador's administration. The White House did not immediately respond to questions about what the president was referring to.
    Russian Federation probe: Trump's lawyers submit written answers to Mueller

    Russian Federation probe: Trump's lawyers submit written answers to Mueller

    The president added, "So you have to always be careful when you answer questions with people that probably have bad intentions". In 2016, Mr Trump accused Mrs Clinton of putting the U.S. "in danger" over her use of a private email while secretary of state.
  • This is Alonso's McLaren livery for his final F1 race

    This is Alonso's McLaren livery for his final F1 race

    Hulkenberg opened his radio channel to say: "Holy s--! I don't feel like I miss another driver but the sport will miss him". The livery features a red, blue and yellow stripe running across the engine cover and ending at the rear wheel.
    Bournemouth vs Arsenal, Premier League

    Bournemouth vs Arsenal, Premier League

    Arsenal have not qualified for the Champions League for the last two years and look to be facing more competition than ever to break back into Europe's elite club competition.
    Gunman Dead In Thanksgiving Night Shooting At Alabama Mall, Two Wounded

    Gunman Dead In Thanksgiving Night Shooting At Alabama Mall, Two Wounded

    Two individuals got into a physical altercation near the Foot Action store inside the Galleria, Rector said. Footage emerged previous year of women punching and kicking each other before being handcuffed by police.
  • LSU Gives Premature Gatorade Bath, Texas A&M Ties Game

    LSU Gives Premature Gatorade Bath, Texas A&M Ties Game

    The Aggies won it with Kellen Mond's touchdown pass to Quartney Davis followed by a game-winning two-point conversion. An A&M spokesman said the team doesn't plan to comment until it reviews video of the incident.
    ASP Suhai Aziz led operation to foil attack on Chinese consulate

    ASP Suhai Aziz led operation to foil attack on Chinese consulate

    I will personally brief the Chinese foreign minister about the matter when he is available to speak, Qureshi added. A paramilitary soldier walks past the wreckages of cars after the attack on the Chinese consulate .
    Judge blocks Trump asylum restrictions

    Judge blocks Trump asylum restrictions

    The AP reports that families are forced to wait in shelters and camps on the Mexico side of the border for weeks. The other plaintiffs in the lawsuit are Al Otro Lado, Innovation Law Lab and Central American Resource Center.