New Zealand number eight Kieran
Read has been named the IRB Player of the Year 2013, the third Kiwi to
win the prestigious award.
The accolade completes a
hat-trick of awards for New Zealand, as the All Blacks were named IRB
Team of the Year for the seventh time and Steve Hansen the IRB Coach of
the Year for the second year in succession.
28-year-old Read
has enjoyed a fantastic year in the heart of the All Blacks' pack and
played no small part in ensuring his team went through 2013 with a
perfect record.
His influence has been huge, as demonstrated
by his workload in the scrum, line-out, his tackling, his ability to
compete in the air and at the breakdown, not to mention the tendency to
be in the right place at the right time when it comes to creating or
scoring tries.
He has played 61 Tests for New Zealand, the
majority of them in the back row alongside Richie McCaw, and is now the
most prolific try-scoring number eight in world Rugby.
Read
is the third New Zealander to be named IRB Player of the Year, following
in the footsteps of teammates Dan Carter (2005 and 2012) and Richie
McCaw (2006, 2009 and 2010). He edged out Eben Etzebeth (South Africa),
Leigh Halfpenny (Wales), Sergio Parisse (Italy) and Ben Smith (New
Zealand) for the award in a closely fought contest during a year of
spectacular performances on the international stage.
Under
Hansen's guidance New Zealand won all 14 of their Test matches during
2013, a feat that has never before been achieved in the professional
era. In that time his team won the Bledisloe Cup for the 11th successive
year on their way to retaining The Rugby Championship title.
"The IRB player, coach and team awards bring the international Rugby
year to a close and what a year it has been for New Zealand," said IRB
Chairman Bernard Lapasset.
"They seem to reach new levels of
excellence every year and although some managed to push them very close,
they were clearly the stand-out team of the year."
"From a
starting point of brilliance, Kieran Read has been improving steadily in
recent years and is now, without question, a world-class player. His
talent, work ethic and attitude make him an extremely valuable player
for New Zealand and a formidable opponent for everyone else. Winning
this award reflects a magnificent contribution to our Game during 2013."
"I would like to congratulate those who were on a stellar
shortlist. All thoroughly deserved their place and gave the panel a very
difficult decision to make."
New Zealand Rugby Chairman
Mike Eagle said: "This is fantastic recognition of a very special team.
We are very proud of what Steve, Kieran and the team have achieved in
2013 as they have worked hard to be the best, and we congratulate them
on these awards."
All Blacks Coach Steve Hansen said: "I'd
like to congratulate Kieran on his award as it is well deserved. He has
been outstanding and has been a major contributor all season. It's been a
big year and I am incredibly proud of what the boys have achieved. I
thank them for their commitment and efforts throughout the year." (well said Sir)
"It's certainly special to have the All Blacks named for all three IRB
awards, so it's important that we thank and acknowledge all those
behind the team because it wouldn't happen without them - the players,
our management, the other team behind us at New Zealand Rugby, All
Blacks fans around the world, but most importantly, thanks to our
families for the love and support that allows us to focus on this great
Game." (well said again Sir)
All three of these IRB Awards are selected by an
independent panel of judges,(no conspiracy Beeno and Redsman) with the Rugby-loving public also given an
opportunity to give their views. The panel, chaired by Australia's RWC
1999 winning captain John Eales, also comprises Will Greenwood, Gavin
Hastings, Raphaël Ibanez, Francois Pienaar, Agustín Pichot, Scott
Quinnell, Tana Umaga and Paul Wallace. The panel has deliberated on
every major Test played in 2013, starting with the opening Six Nations
match and culminating with the November internationals.
Previous winners of the IRB Player of the Year Award:
2012 Dan Carter (New Zealand)
2011 Thierry Dusautoir (France)
2010 Richie McCaw (New Zealand)
2009 Richie McCaw (New Zealand)
2008 Shane Williams (Wales)
2007 Bryan Habana (South Africa)
2006 Richie McCaw (New Zealand)
2005 Dan Carter (New Zealand)
2004 Schalk Burger (South Africa)
2003 Jonny Wilkinson (England)
2002 Fabien Galthié (France)
2001 Keith Wood (Ireland)
Previous Winners of IRB Team of the Year Award:
2012 New Zealand
2011 New Zealand
2010 New Zealand
2009 South Africa
2008 New Zealand
2007 South Africa
2006 New Zealand
2005 New Zealand
2004 South Africa
2003 England
2002 France
2001 Australia
Previous Winners of IRB Coach of the Year Award:
2012 Steve Hansen (New Zealand)
2011 Graham Henry (New Zealand)
2010 Graham Henry (New Zealand)
2009 Declan Kidney (Ireland)
2008 Graham Henry (New Zealand)
2007 Jake White (South Africa)
2006 Graham Henry (New Zealand)
2005 Graham Henry (New Zealand)
2004 Jake White (South Africa)
2003 Clive Woodward (England)
2002 Bernard Laporte (France)
2001 Rod Macqueen (Australia)
