Rugby:New Zealand outhalf Dan Carter was named player of the year in a clean sweep by the world champions at the International Rugby Board awards this afternoon. The All Blacks, unbeaten in 20 tests since the start of last year's World Cup before Saturday's loss to England, were named team of the year while Steve Hansen won the coach of the year award.
Carter had been nominated alongside his fellow All Black Richie McCaw, current France number 10 Frederic Michalak and England’s Owen Farrell who made the shortlist despite being dropped by England for most of the year.
The short-list had bemused many with the likes of Argentina captain Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe, Wales flanker Dan Lydiate, Australia back-row star David Pocock and All Blacks number eight Kieran Read all overlooked. Wales, despite being 2011 World Cup semi-finalists and 2012 Six Nations champions, have not had a player nominated for the second successive year.
The panel of judges comprised Will Greenwood, Gavin Hastings, Raphael Ibanez, Francois Pienaar, Agustin Pichot, Scott Quinnell, Tana Umaga and Paul Wallace, under Australian World Cup-winning captain John Eales’ chairmanship.