2022 has been a ground-breaking year for rugby union, particularly for the women’s game, with record crowds at both the Six Nations and the Rugby World Cup. In April, Welford Road saw 15,836 fans watch the Red Roses take on Ireland while this weekend a staggering 42,579 attended Eden Park for the Women’s World Cup final.
Local Gloucester-Hartpury star, Maud Muir is in the running for women’s 15s breakthrough player. Muir has had an outstanding year with the Roses earning 17 international caps. Wasps’ women player Abi burton says “no one deserves this more than Muir. Just over a year ago Maud made her debut against the Black Ferns at the age of 20 and at the weekend she played in the World Cup final in one of the most difficult positions (prop) at the age of 21! How unreal.”
World cup hosts and winners New Zealand have received 5 player nominations across different categories as well as Wayne Smith being nominated for coach of the year. Black Ferns, Ruby Tui and Maiakawanakaulani Roo are both in the running for women’s 15s breakthrough player of the year.
After adapting from 7s in summer 2020, Ruby Tui scored an impressive eight tries in nine tests ahead of the RWC final. As well as her inspiring performances on the pitch, Tui has also promoted the women’s game through the release of her book ‘Straight up’ where she discusses her journey from a troubled and unstable childhood to Olympic champion and international star.
Roos is the youngest of all the nominees within this category at just 21 years old. After working her way through the ranks at a rapid rate, she made her debut for the Ferns in November 2021 and since then, has become an integral part of the team.
Embed from Getty ImagesAlthough New Zealand and England are arguably the strongest two teams in the female game, there has been many magical moments and world class players amongst all other countries. Ireland’s Linda Djougang is a strong contender for Women’s try of the year. Djougang scored a fantastic try against Wales during the Tik Tok Six Nations where she received a pop pass from Sam Monaghan and ran a hard line straight through the Welsh defence to finish off a fantastic move.
Djougang took to Instagram to say “thank you to World Rugby for the nomination. Every single person on the team touched the ball for this try to happen. This nomination is not just for me, but for all my teammates too.”
Canada have also had a strong year with captain and no.8 Sophie de Geode being selected for Women’s 15s Player of the Year. Goede expresses how its “an honour to be nominated!”
The World Rugby awards are the most prestigious in the sport, with the awards being presented in Monaco on Sunday the 20th of November.
