GELA APRASIDZE – #VoteAprasidze
The
diminutive Georgian scrumhalf had grabbed the headlines for his
long-range penalties in the tournament but in the ninth place playoff
against Ireland he used his quick feet to run in a solo try from 60
metres out. He stepped the first defender and darted through a gap,
twisting one way then the other before stepping inside the last line of
defence to score and bring the Georgian crowd to their feet at the
Mikheil Meskhi Stadium in Tbilisi.
SEAN O’BRIEN – #VoteOBrien
The move began deep in
the Lions’ 22 when Liam Williams stood up All Blacks captain Kieran
Read and took off across the Eden Park pitch. He made it to halfway
before finding his fellow Welshman Jonathan Davies, the centre combining
with Elliot Daly before popping the ball out to the supporting O’Brien
five metres from the line to add the finishing touch as half-time
approached in the first test of the series.
JOAQUIN TUCULET – #VoteTuculet
Another breakout
that began deep in a team’s own 22 after Juan Manuel Leguizamon fielded
an England kick in their first test with Argentina in San Juan and the
ball found its way to Matias Orlando, the centre slicing through the
visitor’s defence with ease. He found Emiliano Boffelli in support, the
test debutant straightening the attack before releasing Tuculet to
sprint away from the England defence to finish off the free-flowing
move.
PORTIA WOODMAN – #VoteWoodman
A New Zealand scrum
on the USA 10-metre line provided an attacking platform midway through
the first half of this Women’s Rugby World Cup 2017 semi-final and
Woodman needed no second invitation. Having switched to the left wing,
she came infield to collect the pass from scrum-half Kendra Cocksedge
and then danced her way through the defence, changing direction and
switching hands several times to leave five defenders in her wake before
diving under the posts for her 10th try of the tournament - and first
of four in the match.
World Rugby chairperson Bill Beaumont said: “The World Rugby Awards
celebrate excellence in rugby, honouring the world’s greatest players,
coaches and teams as well as those who have given so much to the sport.
The past year has produced some amazing performances by all the best
men’s and women’s teams, in both 15s and sevens, so voting for the 2017
awards has been especially close and hard-fought.
“This shortlist showcases the very best of our sports - the great
scores that fans love and moments that inspire children to get up, get
active and get into rugby. This shortlist features exceptional, skill,
quality and teamwork and we look forward to the winner being announced
in Monaco.”
IRPA Chief Executive Omar Hassanein said: “There are some fantastic
team tries amongst this year’s shortlist, pretty much all from a long
range and requiring the combined efforts of a large number of players.
Whoever wins this award will do so in the knowledge that it is the
collective achievement of many players – in essence, what the
International Rugby Players’ Association as an organisation is all
about. We hope the rugby supporting public enjoy watching this fantastic
compilation as much as we do, and wish all the shortlisted nominees the
very best of luck on the night.”
For more details on the World Rugby Awards, visit www.worldrugby.org/awards
PREVIOUS WINNERS
2016 – Jamie Heaslip (Ireland) – Ireland v Italy
2015 – Julian Savea (New Zealand) – New Zealand v France
2014 – Francois Hougaard (South Africa) – South Africa v New Zealand
2013 – Beauden Barrett (New Zealand) – New Zealand v France
2012 – Bryan Habana (South Africa) – South Africa v New Zealand
2011 – Radike Samo (Australia) – Australia v New Zealand
2010 – Chris Ashton (England) – England v Australia
2009 – Jaque Fourie (South Africa) – South Africa v British and Irish Lions
2008 – Brian O’Driscoll (Ireland) – Australia v Ireland
2007 – Takudzwa Ngwenya (USA) – South Africa v USA