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IRB pronounces Brit Wilkinson World Player of Year
Sydney, Nov 25: England`s fly half Jonny Wilkinson has been named World Rugby Player of the year.
Sydney, Nov 25: England's fly half Jonny Wilkinson has been named World Rugby Player of the year.
Jonny Wilkinson capped his match-winning performance in England's World Cup victory over Australia when he was named on Sunday as the International Rugby Board's (IRB) player of the year.
The England flyhalf was a runaway winner of rugby's most prestigious prize as the newly crowned world champions swept the major awards at the IRB's annual presentation dinner.
England were named as the team of the year while Clive Woodward won the coach of the year award but Wilkinson was still the name on everyone's lips. "I've been through some tense times" he said. Wilkinson, whose 100th-minute drop goal gave England a dramatic 20-17 win over the Wallabies in Saturday's World Cup final, was one of five players on a shortlist for the player of the year.
His English team mate and hooker Steve Thompson was also nominated along with France number eight Imanol Harinordoquy, New Zealand flanker Richie McCaw and Australia flanker Phil Waugh.
Wilkinson, 24, was a clear favourite to win the award even before his heroic effort in Saturday's final. The biggest star in the game, he was named last week as the International Players Association player of the year for the second season in a row.
Wilkinson was not at his absolute best earlier in the tournament but stayed true to his famous work ethic of practice, practice and more practice and it paid off.
He kicked 23 of England's 28 points in their quarter-final win over Wales but was still criticised for his general play.
However, the doubters were silenced when he scored all of his team's points in the 24-7 semi-final win over France then 15 in the final, including the last-minute drop goal, to finish the tournament as the leading points scorer with a tally of 113.
Crowds rallied around the England team hotel to see the players leave for the airport and the long trip back to London. Chanting England and 'Sweet Chariot' England fans cheered their team as they got on the bus. The squad are set for a hero's welcome when they finally land back home after triumph Down Under.
And the welcome could include a rapturous victory parade down the Mall. Coach Clive Woodward and his men are certain to receive a huge welcome home from thousands of England fans after the nation's biggest sporting triumph since 1966.
Bureau Report
England were named as the team of the year while Clive Woodward won the coach of the year award but Wilkinson was still the name on everyone's lips. "I've been through some tense times" he said. Wilkinson, whose 100th-minute drop goal gave England a dramatic 20-17 win over the Wallabies in Saturday's World Cup final, was one of five players on a shortlist for the player of the year.
His English team mate and hooker Steve Thompson was also nominated along with France number eight Imanol Harinordoquy, New Zealand flanker Richie McCaw and Australia flanker Phil Waugh.
Wilkinson, 24, was a clear favourite to win the award even before his heroic effort in Saturday's final. The biggest star in the game, he was named last week as the International Players Association player of the year for the second season in a row.
Wilkinson was not at his absolute best earlier in the tournament but stayed true to his famous work ethic of practice, practice and more practice and it paid off.
He kicked 23 of England's 28 points in their quarter-final win over Wales but was still criticised for his general play.
However, the doubters were silenced when he scored all of his team's points in the 24-7 semi-final win over France then 15 in the final, including the last-minute drop goal, to finish the tournament as the leading points scorer with a tally of 113.
Crowds rallied around the England team hotel to see the players leave for the airport and the long trip back to London. Chanting England and 'Sweet Chariot' England fans cheered their team as they got on the bus. The squad are set for a hero's welcome when they finally land back home after triumph Down Under.
And the welcome could include a rapturous victory parade down the Mall. Coach Clive Woodward and his men are certain to receive a huge welcome home from thousands of England fans after the nation's biggest sporting triumph since 1966.
Bureau Report