Wilko voted Zurich player of the year
November 13, 2002

England record-breaker Jonny Wilkinson has been voted the 2002 Zurich
International Rugby Player of the Year.

Wilkinson (pictured) won the award, voted for by the International Rugby Players' Association, ahead of Brian O'Driscoll, who captained Ireland to a historic victory over Australia last weekend, New Zealand's Scott Robertson, Frenchman Fabien Galthie and the Wallabies' Stephen Larkham.

The highest points-scorer in English rugby history, Wilkinson led his team to a 31-28 victory over New Zealand at Twickenham last Saturday.

"To be voted the best player for 2002 by my opponents when there are so many talented individual players is a tremendous honour," Wilkinson said.

"This is the ultimate rugby accolade and something I will treasure for the rest of my career."

Wilkinson was among a host of players honoured during Wednesday night's awards ceremony at the Royal Lancashire Hotel in London.

New Zealand wing forward Richie McCaw took the International Newcomer of the Year Award. Making his international debut against Ireland in November last year, McCaw has since played eight Tests, with a 16-14 defeat by Australia in this year's Tri Nations his only loss as an All Black.

The 21-year-old beat Australian rugby league convert Mat Rogers, South Africans Brent Russell and Joe van Niekerk and France's Imanol Harinordoquy for the award.

New Zealand also claimed the Team of the Year Award after regaining the Tri Nations trophy from the Wallabies and losing just once in 2002. The All Blacks were voted ahead of England, Six Nations champion France and Australia.

England's Jason Leonard, the world's most capped forward who is on the bench for Saturday's clash with Australia, was honoured with the IRPA Asprey Special Merit Award, given to a player who has consistently excelled throughout his international career.

Wallaby Ben Tune picked up the final award, for International Try of the
Year.

Against South Africa in this year's Tri Nations tournament, George Gregan
ran across field in the Springboks' half and with Matt Burke running a
decoy, found Tune who beat Andre Pretorius to score next to the posts.

"What makes these awards so special is that they are voted for by the Test
players of the major playing nations worldwide," IRPA Chairman Tony Dempsey said.

Award Winners are as follows:

IRPA Zurich International Rugby Player of the Year 2002
Winner: Jonny Wilkinson - England
Nominations: Scott Robertson - New Zealand
Fabien Galthie - France
Stephen Larkham - Australia
Brian O'Driscoll - Ireland

IRPA Canterbury International Newcomer of the Year 2002
Winner: Richie McCaw - New Zealand
Nominations: Imanol Harinordoquy - France
Joe van Niekerk - South Africa
Mat Rogers - Australia
Brent Russell - South Africa

IRPA Land Rover International Team of the Year 2002:
Winner: New Zealand
Nominations: France
England
Australia

Computacenter International Try of the Year 2002
Winner: Ben Tune - Australia vs. South Africa, 27th July 2002
Nominations: Ben Cohen - England vs. Ireland, 16th February 2002
Brendan Cannon - Australia vs. South Africa, 17th August 2002
Marius Joubert - South Africa vs. Australia, 27th July 2002
Gerald Merceron - France vs. England, 2nd March 2002

IRPA Asprey Special Merit Award 2002
Winner: Jason Leonard - England

This award honours a player who has consistently excelled throughout his international career.

Live Sports

Communication error please reload the page.