Ireland centre Bundee Aki is among four nominees for the World Rugby men's player of the year along with France captain Antoine Dupont and World Cup finalists Eben Etzebeth from South Africa and New Zealand’s Ardie Sevea, officials announced on Thursday.
The winner will be named in Paris on Sunday, the day after the Springboks and All Blacks meet in the World Cup final. Aki had a superb tournament in France despite Ireland’s customary quarter-final exit and led the attack stats through the pool phase, while scrumhalf Dupont, who won the award in 2021, could not lead his side to victory on home soil.
Lock Etzebeth will be a strong candidate with his powerful displays in the second row a feature of the Springboks’ form this year, but loose-forward Sevea has been outstanding too and a key player for the All Blacks.
The nominations for breakthrough player of the year include two New Zealanders in wing Mark Tele'a and prop Tamaiti Williams.