PARIS (AP) — Rugby World Cup finalists Eben Etzebeth of South Africa and Ardie Savea of New Zealand are among the four nominees to win the men's world player of the year award.
The imposing lock Etzebeth and the livewire No.8 Savea will face off in Saturday's final at Stade de France, where victory could go some way to deciding who wins the award in Paris on Sunday.
Etzebeth made up for being sin-binned with a late try in the 29-28 quarterfinal win against France.
France scrumhalf Antoine Dupont, the winner in 2021 and shortlisted last year, and Ireland center Bundee Aki are the other two in contention for the men's award. Dupont recovered from a broken cheekbone to lead the French against the Springboks and Aki was inspirational for the Irish.
Ireland’s Andy Farrell is vying for coach of the year with New Zealand's Ian Foster, South Africa’s Jacques Nienaber, and Fiji’s Simon Raiwalui.
Speedy France winger Louis Bielle-Biarrey, who made his international debut in August and scored four tries at the World Cup, is nominated for breakthrough player of the year, along with New Zealand left winger Mark Tele'a and prop Tamaiti Williams, and South Africa flyhalf Manie Libbok.
Nominees in the four women’s categories will be announced after the conclusion of the ongoing WXV tournament early next month.
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