Fiji will be represented in the prestigious annual World rugby Awards which was cancelled in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
With the pandemic bringing in a new global norm, former Fiji 7s and Flying Fijians winger Marika Vunibaka is the lone representative from Oceania.
World Rugby reported that the Vione, Gau flyer, who now lives in Australia, will be part of the panel for the World Rugby women’s and men’s 7s player of the year awards alongside Kenya’s Humphrey Kayange, Tiana Penitani of Australia, formner New Zealand 7s captain and now commentator Karl Te Nana and Danielle Waterman of England.
The World Rugby Awards panels comprise of international past players and coaches, World Rugby Hall of Fame inductees and rugby media.
The following members vote on the respective Awards.
Awards:
World Rugby Men’s 15s Player of the Year:
Maggie Alphonsi (England), Fiona Coghlan (Ireland), Thierry Dusautoir (France), George Gregan (Aus), Richie McCaw (NZ), Brian O’Driscoll (Ire), Melodie Robinson (NZ), John Smit (RSA), Clive Woodward (Eng).
World Rugby Women’s 15s Player of the Year:
Liza Burgess (Wales), Lynne Cantwell (Ire), Fiona Coghlan (Ire), Stephen Jones (The Sunday Times), Gaëlle Mignot (France), Jillion Potter (USA), Melodie Robinson (NZ), Karl Tenana (NZ), Danielle Waterman (Eng).
World Rugby Men’s 15s Dream Team of the Year:
Maggie Alphonsi (Eng), Fiona Coghlan (Ire), Thierry Dusautoir (Fra), George Gregan (Aus), Richie McCaw (NZ), Brian O’Driscoll (Ire), Melodie Robinson (NZ), John Smit (RSA), Clive Woodward (Eng).
World Rugby Women’s 15s Dream Team of the Year:
Liza Burgess (Wal), Lynne Cantwell (Ire), Fiona Coghlan (Ire), Stephen Jones (Eng), Gaelle Mignot (Fra), Jillion Potter (USA), Melodie Robinson (NZ), Karl Tenana (NZ), Danielle Waterman (Eng).
World Rugby Coach of the Year:
Maggie Alphonsi (Eng), Nick Mallett (RSA), Brian O’Driscoll (Ire), Clive Woodward (Eng).
World Rugby Referee Award:
Head of match officials, High Performance Sevens Referee manager, chairman High Performance Rugby Committee, chairman Professional Game Committee.
International Rugby Players Try of the Year:
Conrad Smith (NZ, chair), Rachel Burford (Eng), Thierry Dusautoir (Fra), Fiao’o Faamausili (NZ), Bryan Habana (RSA), Jamie Heaslip (Ire)
World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year:
Felipe Contepomi (Arg), Fiao’o Faamausili (NZ), Bryan Habana (RSA), Jamie Heaslip (Ire)
World Rugby women’s 7s Player of the Year:
Humphrey Kayange (Ken), Tiana Penitani (Aus), Karl Te Nana (NZ), Marika Vunibaka (Fiji), Danielle Waterman (Eng)
World Rugby men’s 7s Player of the Year:
Humphrey Kayange (Ken), Tiana Penitani (Aus), Karl Te Nana (NZ), Marika Vunibaka (Fj), Danielle Waterman (Eng)
Award for character:
Bill Beaumont (World Rugby chairman), David Carrigy (World Rugby head of Development and International Relations), Alan Gilpin (World Rugby chief executive)
Vernon Pugh Award for distinguished service:
Bill Beaumont (World Rugby chairman), David Carrigy (World Rugby head of Development and International Relations), Alan Gilpin (World Rugby chief executive)
International Rugby Players Special Merit:
International rugby players representatives.
