Congratulations as McCaw named IRB Player of the Year
Photo - www.irb.com
New Zealand rugby and the All Blacks have congratulated All Blacks captain Richie McCaw who was tonight named the IRB 2009 Player of the Year.
28-year-old McCaw received the award following the All Blacks – France Test in Marseille tonight.
McCaw, who today captained the All Blacks for the 42nd time in his 80th Test, is the first player to win world rugby’s most prestigious player award twice.
McCaw won the award in 2006 and was also a finalist in 2003 and 2005. He also won the Kelvin R Tremain Memorial Trophy as New Zealand Player of the Year in 2003 and 2006 at New Zealand’s premier rugby awards event, the Steinlager Rugby Awards.
NZRU Board Chairman Jock Hobbs said: “This award is a truly fitting recognition for Richie who this year has again shown himself to be a world-class player. He is an inspiration to other players as well as rugby fans in New Zealand and around the world.”
All Blacks Coach Graham Henry said: “On behalf of the All Blacks players and management, we congratulate Richie on receiving this award. He is the leader of our team, shows a huge amount of character and commitment both on and off the field and is truly deserving of this honour.”
McCaw was nominated for the award alongside Ireland’s Brian O’Driscoll and Jamie Heaslip, Australia’s Matt Giteau, Tom Croft of England and South Africans Francois Steyn and Fourie du Preez.
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Joe Locke
All Blacks Media Manager
M: +44 (0) 7848 009 536