New Zealand Rugby celebrates All Blacks sweep of IRB awards

Dec 3 • General News, International, World Rugby • 2365 Views • Comments Off on New Zealand Rugby celebrates All Blacks sweep of IRB awards

New Zealand Rugby is today celebrating the All Blacks’ clean sweep of the IRB’s 2013 Rugby Awards for the second year running.

World class No 8 Kieran Read has been named the IRB’s Player of the Year, while All Blacks Head Coach Steve Hansen has been named Coach of the Year for a second consecutive year, and the All Blacks have taken Team of the Year for a fourth straight year.

The IRB’s annual award winners were announced today following an unprecedented year for the All Blacks with 14 wins from 14 Test matches to remain unbeaten in 2013.

New Zealand Rugby Chairman Mike Eagle and Chief Executive Steve Tew congratulated Kieran Read, Steve Hansen and the All Blacks for the accolades after a spectacular year.

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.”

Steve Tew said: “It’s been an outstanding year for the All Blacks and a great year to be an All Blacks fan, and we are very proud of what skipper Richie (McCaw) and the team has achieved.

“Kieran deserves particular acknowledgement for the remarkable season he has put in both on and off the field. The fact this is Steve’s second straight Coach of the Year award is also significant and deserves our congratulations.

“These awards are a reflection of the effort and commitment the All Blacks have shown in 2013 to be the best in the world and they can now head into a well-earned summer break with a high degree of satisfaction,” he said.

The awards may not end here, with the Steinlager Rugby Awards also to be announced at a formal event in Auckland on Thursday. Kieran Read has been nominated for the Kel Tremain Player of the Year Award, Steve Hansen has been nominated for Coach of the Year and the All Blacks have been nominated for Team of the Year.