1
Andy Farrell lands coach of the year despite Ireland quarter final exit
By PA
Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has been named World Rugby coach of the year for 2023.
ADVERTISEMENT
Farrell, who was not in Paris to accept the award, saw off competition from South Africa’s Jacques Nienaber, New Zealand’s Ian Foster and Fiji’s Simon Raiwalui.
The 48-year-old Englishman guided Ireland to a Six Nations Grand Slam earlier this year, but his side were knocked out of the World Cup in the quarter-finals by New Zealand, who went on to lose to South Africa in the final.
New Zealand’s Ardie Savea was named men’s 15s player of the year ahead of Ireland’s Bundee Aki, France’s Antoine Dupont and South Africa’s Eben Etzebeth.
Scotland wing Duhan van der Merwe won try of the year for his long-range solo effort against England during the Six Nations.
I would feel embarrassed collecting that trophy, 17 match run was excellent yes but effectly world rugby are saying a grand slam in the six nations is worth more than winning the World Cup so bizzare, this proves South Africa were not given any favours at this World Cup. JN deserved this for winning the worldcup by beating 4 out of 5 of the top teams to win it, Ireland won 2 out of 3
Must have been right between him and Foster. The Rugby Championship being reduced to 3 games probably outweighed his superior World Cup tournament. Not sure that makes a lot of sense.
Interresting that South-Africa only have 1 player in the world cup dream team. France 5, Ireland 5, New-Zeeland 4. No best player and no best emerging player. Yet they managed to get too and win the world cup final with “lesser rated” players while they played the other 5 teams in the top 6 in the rankings. And their coach is also not rated the best. 🏁
The World Cup isn’t everything and Ireland’s win in the Six nations and long unbeaten run deserves acknowedgement. I thought the SA “Management Team” was well above anybody else. New Zealand, France and Ireland did well with big lead into games. But SA excelled once the knock outs started. They had clearly superior homework on everyone bar England. SA were tired but their match prep for England was poor, which may have been due to fatigue in the week before hand.
Ireland whom I know about need a coach whose primary role is ongoing preparation for potential opponents in the tournament.
As expected the rugby dunce saffas are squeaking and speaking about the awards but in fairness they are just a reflection of how bias and protected SA rugby is by the WR officials. How elizabetha even made it onto the list is a mystery. As they say, you can’t have your cake and eat it.