"Munster and Ireland's CJ Stander has been voted the IRUPA Players' Player of the Year by his fellow peers at the annual awards ceremony.
The South African-born Stander had a superb season for Ireland, making his debut in the opening Six Nations game against Wales where he was named man-of-the-match.
The back-rower and Munster captain continued this rich vein of form for the remainder of the campaign, scoring his first Test try against Italy. His powerful performances did not go unnoticed by supporters either as he was also voted the Supporters' Player of the Year.
"I'm delighted to win this award. Receiving recognition from my fellow peers is the ultimate accolade. I will remember this season fondly, from winning my first cap, to scoring my first international try and ultimately winning this award," Stander told Irish Rugby's website.
Josh van der Flier was named the Nevin Spence Young Player of the Year after impressing all season for Leinster and excelling in his first outing for Ireland against England in the Six Nations.Joining Ireland's heroes in the IRUPA Hall of Fame was former Munster and Ireland flyhalf Ronan O'Gara. Leinster's Isaac Boss was awarded the Medal for Excellence, which rewards on field effort combined with off field commitment to the game.Zurich IRUPA Players' Player of the YearWinner: CJ Stander (Munster)
Nominations - Robbie Henshaw (Connacht), CJ Stander (Munster), Jack McGrath (Leinster), Rory Best (Ulster)
Nevin Spence Young Player of the Year
Winner: Josh van der Flier (Leinster)
Nominations - Josh van der Flier (Leinster), Stuart McCloskey (Ulster), Garry Ringrose (Leinster)
Volkswagen Try of the Year
Winner: Jamie Heaslip (Ireland v Italy, RBS 6 Nations)
Nominations - Craig Gilroy (Ulster v Scarlets, Guinness PRO12), Jamie Heaslip (Ireland v Italy, RBS 6 Nations), Matt Healy (Connacht v Grenoble, European Challenge Cup)
Vodafone Medal for Excellence
Winner: Isaac Boss (Leinster)
Nominations - Isaac Boss (Leinster), Ronan Loughney (Connacht), John Muldoon (Connacht)
BNY Mellon IRUPA Hall of Fame
Inducted: Ronan O'Gara (Munster)
Irish Times Supporters' Player of the Year
Winner: CJ Stander (Munster)
Powerscourt Hotel Resort and Spa Moment of the Year
Winner: Connacht's victory over Munster at Thomond Park
BNY Mellon Women's Fifteens Player of the Year
Winner: Sene Naoupu
Women's Sevens Player of the Year
Winner: Amee-Leigh Crowe
Zurich Contribution to Irish Society
Winner: Niall Breslin"
Stnder is one of Mozart's pet hates - he has so many, but Stander must rate among his top ten - so he must take the above story with a great degree of dislike. After all he believes intensely that other than him all rugby fans are idiots.
