NEW Zealand No.8 Ardie Savea was crowned World Rugby Men’s 15s Player of the Year on Sunday.
Savea scored three tries in eight Tests this year and guided the All Blacks to the Rugby Championship title, as well as last weekend’s World Cup final.
The 30-year-old’s tireless work rate and try scoring performance in the quarter-final defeat of Ireland saw the Hurricanes forward edge nominees Bundee Aki (Ireland), Antoine Dupont (France) and Eben Etzebeth (South Africa).
Savea said: “It’s very special. I guess for an individual to stand out it’s b...