Burger takes top award
November 29, 2004
Springbok flanker Schalk Burger is the International Rugby Board's player of the year, and his Tri-Nations-winning team-mates have claimed most of the other major honours. Jake White, who took over after the World Cup, was named coach of the year - and his Springboks held off grand slam winners France to win the team award and sweep the board. ``Schalk's emergence as a major force has meant a lot to South African rugby but has also influenced world rugby,'' said White. ``People have looked at the way he springs up so quickly from the tackle - he's like a bouncing ball. He's become to South African rugby what Jonty Rhodes was to South African cricket. It's amazing what he has achieved in such a short time so far in his international career.'' Burger last night topped a list which included Ireland centre Gordon D'Arcy, the RBS 6 Nations player of the year, and Australian star Matt Giteau who was central to the Wallabies' victory over England at Twickenham on Saturday. IRB International Player of the Year: Schalk Burger (South Africa) IRB International Team of the Year: South Africa IRB International Coach of the Year: Jake White (South Africa) IRB International U19 Player of the Year: Jeremy Thrush (New Zealand) IRB International U21 Player of the Year: Jerome Kaino (New Zealand) IRB International Sevens Team of the Year: New Zealand IRB International Sevens Player of the Year: Simon Amor (England) Spirit of Rugby Award: Jarrod Cunningham Vernon Pugh Award for Distinguished Service: Ronnie Dawson IRB Referee Award for Distinguished Service: Jim Fleming IRB International Women's Personality of the Year: Donna Kennedy IRB Development Award: Guedel Ndiaye IRB Chairman's Award: Marcel Martin |
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