Ireland flyhalf Johnny Sexton won the 2018 World Rugby Player of the Year award at Sunday night’s ceremony in Monaco.
Sexton saw off the challenge of All Blacks flyhalf Beauden Barrett, who won the award in 2016 and 2017, Bok scrumhalf Faf de Klerk, All Blacks wing Rieko Ioane and Bok hooker Malcolm Marx.
The 33-year-old is the first Irishman to win the award since hooker Keith Wood claimed the inaugural accolade in 2001.
In 2018, Sexton won the Six Nations with Ireland and both the European Champions Cup and Pro14 with Leinster. While he was unable to make an acceptance speech at the awards ceremony in Monaco, having lost his voice, Ireland captain Rory Best read a statement on his behalf.
‘Thank you to my teammates and coaches. If a No 10 wins an award like this, it is due to the team around him and his coaches making his job easier. We have some of the best coaches in the world and are led superbly by Rory Best.
‘I’d also like to thank my wife Laura who has been with me from the start. We’ve three young kids and she does absolutely everything to allow me to concentrate on the day job. I wouldn’t have been able to have the season I’ve had without her.
‘Thank you so much, it is an incredible honour. I look at the other nominees and I admire all of them. Any of them would have been a worthy winner.’
WATCH: 2018 World Rugby Awards
Ireland were named Team of the Year after winning 11 of their 12 Tests in 2018. They claimed a Six Nations Grand Slam, achieved a first Test series win in Australia since 1979, and recently beat the All Blacks on Irish soil for the first time in 113 years of trying.
Ireland coach Joe Schmidt was named Coach of the Year.
Springbok wing Aphiwe Dyantyi won the Breakthrough Player of the Year award, for which Ireland wing Jordan Larmour and All Blacks prop Karl Tu’inukuafe were also nominated.
‘I’m still shaking a bit, from disbelief,’ he said after the ceremony. ‘I was honoured just to be nominated. I’ve always watched other people get these accolades and never imagined I’d be the one sitting here right now.’
ALSO READ: Dyantyi wins World Rugby award
Fullback Jessy Trémoulière became the first French recipient of the World Rugby Women’s Player of the Year award, having helped Les Bleues win the Six Nations Grand Slam. She received the award ahead of four other nominees in France teammates Gaëlle Hermet, Safi N’Diaye and Pauline Bourdon and New Zealand captain Fiao’o Faamausili.
‘Last year was frustrating because I was injured and I felt I was missing something to be at the top of my game, but I had this feeling that I wanted to be the best player in the world and now it is a reality and it is just fabulous,’ said Trémoulière. ‘So many people have supported me over the years and I want to thank all of them.’
USA speedster Perry Baker was named Men’s Sevens Player of the Year, with New Zealand’s Michaela Blyde winning the women’s award.
2018 World Rugby Awards winners:
World Rugby Men’s Player of the Year: Johnny Sexton (Ireland)
Congratulations to Johnny Sexton, who has won the World Rugby Men’s 15s Player of the Year 2018 award in association with @Mastercard #WorldRugbyAwards pic.twitter.com/eYOWaKLJ0o
— World Rugby (@WorldRugby) November 25, 2018
World Rugby Women’s Player of the Year: Jessy Trémoulière (France)
After a stunning year, congratulations to Jessy Trémoulière who has won the World Rugby Women’s 15s Player of the Year 2018 award in association with @Mastercard #WorldRugbyAwards pic.twitter.com/VSi2xXRYMF
— World Rugby (@WorldRugby) November 25, 2018
World Rugby Team of the Year: Ireland
After a stunning year, @Irishrugby are your World Rugby Team of the Year 2018 #WorldRugbyAwards pic.twitter.com/OsGD4a1A3Q
— World Rugby (@WorldRugby) November 25, 2018
World Rugby Coach of the Year: Joe Schmidt (Ireland)
Congratulations to @irishrugby‘s Joe Schmidt, the World Rugby Coach of the Year 2018 #WorldRugbyAwards pic.twitter.com/bEcfKEQGCQ
— World Rugby (@WorldRugby) November 25, 2018
World Rugby Referee of the Year: Angus Gardner (Australia)
Your World Rugby Referee of the Year is Angus Gardner #WorldRugbyAwards pic.twitter.com/DvpAqDG0Qp
— World Rugby (@WorldRugby) November 25, 2018
International Rugby Players Try of the Year: Brodie Retallick (All Blacks)
A thrilling end-to-end try, congratulations to @allblacks and Brodie Retallick who have won the @IntRugbyPlayers Try of the Year 2018 #WorldRugbyAwards pic.twitter.com/Hf15zX14Kp
— World Rugby (@WorldRugby) November 25, 2018
World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year: Aphiwe Dyanti (Springboks)
Congratulations to Aphiwe Dyanti of @Springboks who has picked up the World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year 2018 award in association with Tudor #WorldRugbyAwards pic.twitter.com/4Nq4TfpQ9D
— World Rugby (@WorldRugby) November 25, 2018
World Rugby Men’s Sevens Player of the Year: Perry Baker (USA)
Congratulations to Perry Baker who has won the World Rugby Men’s Sevens Player of the Year 2018 award in association with @HSBC_Sport #WorldRugbyAwards pic.twitter.com/Oi7HVzVDRj
— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) November 25, 2018
World Rugby Women’s Sevens Player of the Year: Michaela Blyde (New Zealand)
Congratulations to Michaela Blyde who has won the World Rugby Women’s Sevens Player of the Year 2018 award in association with @HSBC_Sport, for the second year in a row! #WorldRugbyAwards pic.twitter.com/3YRTQW3vep
— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) November 25, 2018
International Rugby Players Special Merit Award: Stephen Moore & DJ Forbes
Congratulations to Stephen Moore and DJ Forbes who have received the @IntRugbyPlayers Special Merit Award #WorldRugbyAwards pic.twitter.com/W4ZP3CML8r
— World Rugby (@WorldRugby) November 25, 2018
Spirit of Rugby Award: Jamie Armstrong and The Clan
An incredible story and now the recipient of the Spirit of Rugby Award, in association with @DoveMenUK congratulations to Jamie Armstrong and The Clan #SpiritOfRugby #WorldRugbyAwards pic.twitter.com/DwX33j26aD
— World Rugby (@WorldRugby) November 25, 2018
Award for Character: Doddie Weir
An inspiration to all, a giant of a man and a truly heartwarming individual.
The Award for Character in association with @LandRoverRugby goes to the incredible Doddie Weir #WorldRugbyAwards pic.twitter.com/NswEJ47KkP
— World Rugby (@WorldRugby) November 25, 2018
Vernon Pugh Award for Distinguished Service: Yoshirō Mori
The first award of the night is the Vernon Pugh Award for Distinguished Service 2018, going to former Japanese prime minister and current president of the Japan Rugby Football Union Yoshirō Mori! #WorldRugbyAwards pic.twitter.com/qKSwIziJIW
— World Rugby (@WorldRugby) November 25, 2018
