Bundee Aki rewarded for stellar World Cup performances with Player of the Year nomination

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has been nominated for Coach of the Year. 

TO THE FORE: Ireland's Bundee Aki scores his side's first try of the game during the Rugby World Cup 2023 quarter-final. Pic: Adam Davy/PA Wire.

Ireland centre Bundee Aki has been rewarded for his outstanding World Cup showing with a nomination for World Rugby Player of the Year. 

Aki is not the only nomination from the Irish ranks however, as head coach Andy Farrell has been named as one of four nominees for World Rugby Coach of the year. 

Aki's try-scoring exploits in France clearly haven't gone unnoticed, with his five-try World Cup haul earning him a spot among the esteemed company of France scrum-half Antoine Dupont, South Africa second-row Eben Etzebeth and New Zealand back-row Ardie Savea.

 

Bundee is in the running for @WorldRugby Player of the Year! 🔥#TeamOfUs pic.twitter.com/EZpDRoN1Vd

— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) October 26, 2023

If recognised, Aki would become the fourth Irish player to win the award. 

Previous Irish award winners include Keith Wood, Johnny Sexton and most recently, Josh van der Flier, while Brian O’Driscoll, Paul O’Connell, Jamie Heaslip and Gordon D’Arcy have all received nominations. 

While Aki's performance levels saw him reach his best-ever form in green, it is likely that the World Cup final - featuring Etzebeth and Savea - will determine the destination of the gong. 

For Farrell, yet another World Cup quarter-final exit should not undermine the success he and his coaching ticket has enjoyed of late. 

Leading from the front! 🫡#TeamOfUs pic.twitter.com/U0Ri1UGkM6

— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) October 26, 2023

2023 Grand Slam-winning coach Farrell has been pitted against South Africa’s Jacques Nienaber, New Zealand’s Ian Foster, and Fiji’s Simon Raiwalui for the award. 

Elsewhere, Ireland full-back Hugo Keenan try against France in this year’s Six Nations has been included among the nominations for World Rugby try of the year.

World Rugby Awards 2023 - Nominees:

Men’s 15s Player of the Year:

• Bundee Aki (Ireland) 
• Antoine Dupont (France) 
• Eben Etzebeth (South Africa) 
• Ardie Savea (New Zealand) 

Coach of the Year:

• Andy Farrell (Ireland) 
• Ian Foster (New Zealand) 
• Simon Raiwalui (Fiji) 
• Jacques Nienaber (South Africa) 

Men’s 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year:

• Louis Bielle-Biarrey (France) 
• Manie Libbok (South Africa) 
• Mark Telea (New Zealand) 
• Tamaiti Williams (New Zealand) 

Men’s Try of the Year:

• Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland, v England on 4 February) 
• Damian Penaud (France, v Ireland on 11 February) 
• Hugo Keenan (Ireland, France on 11 February) 
• Vinaya Habosi (Fiji, v Georgia on 1 October) 

Men’s 7s Player of the Year:

• Leroy Carter (New Zealand) 
• Rodrigo Isgro (Argentina) 
• Marcos Moneta (Argentina) 
• Akuila Rokolisoa (New Zealand)

Women’s 7s Player of the Year:

• Michaela Blyde (New Zealand) 
• Maddison Levi (Australia) 
• Tyla Nathan-Wong (New Zealand) 
• Reapi Ulunisau (Fiji)