Dusautoir crowned best player in world

FRANCE captain Thierry Dusautoir has been rewarded for an outstanding season by being named the IRB Player of the Year at a star-studded ceremony in Auckland yesterday.

Dusautoir is the second Frenchman to win the Award — Fabien Galthie did so 2002 — and the Toulouse flanker beat off opposition from the All Blacks’ Piri Weepu, Jerome Kaino and Ma’a Nonu as well as Australians David Pocock and Will Genia.

As expected, New Zealand were named IRB Team of the Year following Sunday’s hard-fought win over the French at Eden park.

The Kiwis had further reason to celebrate when Graham Henry landed the IRB Coach of the Year award for the fifth time.

The IRPA try of the year went to Australia’s Radike Samo following his wonderful 80-metre solo effort against the All Blacks in the Tri Nations in August.