Wales
Halfpenny crowned International Player of the Year
ESPN Staff
November 6, 2013
Leigh Halfpenny has experienced a remarkable year © PA Photos
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Wales fullback Leigh Halfpenny has added a new trophy to his burgeoning awards cabinet after being named International Player of the Year at French rugby magazine Midi Olympique's 'Oscars du Rugby' on Monday evening.

Halfpenny was named Player of the Series for the British & Irish Lions after he helped guide the tourists to a historic 2-1 win over Australia in the summer. That followed an impressive showing in the Six Nations where he won Player of the Tournament.

Amid reported interest from Toulon in Halfpenny's services, he attended the awards ceremony in Paris on Monday evening and was crowned Player of the Year.

"It is a huge honour to receive this award and I feel extremely privileged to have my name alongside the previous winners," Halfpenny said. "The evening celebrated its 60th Anniversary and it was an honour to share the stage with so many legends of the game.

"I'm delighted to win the award and it meant a lot to have my family there to witness it. I have played in some great teams and it was fantastic to be part of last season's Six Nations and British and Irish Lions success."

Argentina back-row Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe scooped the Oscar for European Player of the Year while Wesley Fofana won the France award with Mathieu Bastareaud second and Antonie Claassen third.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd

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