France’s Bielle-Biarrey Competes with Three Springboks for Prestigious World Rugby Award
Louis Bielle-Biarrey has emerged as a prominent contender in the World Rugby’s Player of the Year award, alongside three players from South Africa’s Springboks. The nominations were announced by World Rugby on a recent Tuesday.
Bielle-Biarrey’s Impressive Season
The French winger had a remarkable year, equalling the Six Nations try-scoring record with eight tries in just five matches. This impressive feat helped France clinch the championship title and earned Bielle-Biarrey recognition as the tournament’s best player.
Moreover, in the 2024/25 season with Bordeaux-Begles, Bielle-Biarrey scored 21 tries across 22 matches. His contributions led his club to win the Champions Cup and reach the Top 14 final.
Springboks Nominees
- Pieter-Steph du Toit
- Malcolm Marx
- Ox Nche
Diving deeper into the nominations, Du Toit stands out as a two-time former winner of the Player of the Year award. Nche, on the other hand, has made history as the first prop to receive a nomination. Marx complements these strong South African forwards, forming a powerful front-row group.
Other Nominations
In addition to the Player of the Year candidates, other categories include a breakthrough player nomination. The list features:
- Henry Pollock (England)
- Fabian Holland (New Zealand)
- Ethan Hooker (South Africa)
- Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i (Australia)
Notably, Sua’ali’i has been nominated less than a year after transitioning from rugby league to union, marking a rapid rise in his career.
Best Try Award Candidates
- Santiago Cordero (Argentina)
- Santiago Pedrero (Chile)
- Lekima Tagitagivalu (Fiji)
- Tupou Vaa’i (New Zealand)
The nominees were selected by an eight-member panel, which included esteemed former captains like Kieran Read and Victor Matfield. The awards ceremony is set to take place on Saturday.
Women’s Awards
In women’s rugby, Sophie de Goede from Canada has been named the women’s player of the year following England’s World Cup victory this year. Braxton Sorensen-McGee from New Zealand was also awarded the title of women’s breakthrough player of the year.
This year’s nominations highlight remarkable talents across the globe, showcasing the depth of skill and athleticism in both men’s and women’s rugby.
