Brodie Retallick has been named IRB world player of the year.
Jonathan Sexton had been one of five short-listed but the All Black lock becomes the fifth Kiwi recipient since 2009.
He also edged out Willie le Roux (South Africa), Julian Savea (New Zealand), and Duane Vermeulen (South Africa) for the award.
"Once again, the World Rugby Player of the Year award has been closely contested with each of the five nominees having shone on the international stage in 2014," World Rugby chairman Bernard Lapasset said.
"Brodie Retallick has been at the heart of another hugely successful year for the All Blacks with his superb lineout skills, ball carrying ability and work at the breakdown playing a huge role in a June series win against England, the Rugby Championship title and a strong November series.
"New Zealand showed again in 2014 that they are the team to beat in international Rugby, demonstrating remarkable consistency and dominance, the likes of which has rarely been seen before. And at the helm is their excellent coach Steve Hansen who has managed to keep his players performing at such a high level, match after match."
