We put the request out to our loyal readers and asked them to head to the polls, so without further ado here is the Planet Rugby Readers’ Awards winners for 2024.

Six gongs were up for grabs in our public vote as we looked to focus on the XVs game both internationally and at club level and the response is much appreciated.

There is the Men’s Player of the Year, Women’s Player of the Year, Breakthrough of the Year, Coach of the Year, Best international team and Club Team of the Year.

Planet Rugby Readers’ Awards

Men’s Player of the Year

As with all of the Readers’ Awards there were five nominees in the mix and our opening gong sees props finally recognised and how! Despite missing out on World Rugby’s nominations list, Ox Nche took this category by storm as he won the award with the biggest slice of the vote, (37%). He sees off Springboks teammate and outstanding flank Pieter-Steph du Toit (28%), South Africa wing and lock Cheslin Kolbe (16%) and Eben Etzebeth (12%), with Ireland captain Caelan Doris getting 7%.

Women’s Player of the Year

A clear winner in this category as the England full-back backs up her World Rugby gong by winning Planet Rugby’s. Ellie Kildunne scored 14 tries in 10 Tests this year in an outstanding effort as she raced to 53% of the public vote to cap an impressive campaign. The Red Roses star beats out France scrum-half Pauline Bourdon Sansus (16%), Ireland flanker Aoife Wafer (14%), Canada inside centre Alex Tessier (9%) and finally England number eight Alex Matthews, who finished just behind on 8%.

Breakthrough Player of the Year

A real battle here between a Springbok and All Black up-and-comer with Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Wallace Sititi jostling to win our Breakthrough Player of the Year. In the end it was the South Africa fly-half who ended up claiming this award after amassing 47% of the vote with the impressive Sititi finishing on 41%. Those impressive numbers meant the remaining three nominees – Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, Jamie Osborne and Joaquín Oviedo – ended up on 5%, 4% and 2% respectively.

Wallace Sititi named All Blacks Player of the Year while snubbed forward also wins major award

Coach of the Year

France Sevens coach Jérôme Daret won the World Rugby gong but as mentioned, our awards honed in on the XVs game as we nominated the coaches who have shone in both the international and club game. However, the joint highest poll return saw Rassie Erasmus come out on top with a whopping 86% of the vote. Second place went to Toulouse’s double-winning coach Ugo Mola (7%), while Glasgow’s Franco Smith took 4%, Red Roses coach John Mitchell 3% and Northampton’s Phil Dowson 1%.

International Team of the Year

Matching that 86% haul was the Springboks following their impressive campaign that saw them win 11 out of 13 Tests, which included a first Rugby Championship title since 2019. Like Erasmus, South Africa cantered through the public vote as the other nominees were left battling for second position. In a close-run tussle the Red Roses and France ended on 4% apiece while Ireland and the All Blacks each took 3%, with the Boks head coach acknowledged for how he has moved his team on in 2024.

Club Team of the Year

Last but by no means least we tipped our cap to the club head coaches who have enjoyed superb 12 months. The Premiership, United Rugby Championship and Super Rugby Pacific winners were all in the mix, as well as Vannes, who were promoted to France’s top flight. However, unsurprisingly it was the Top 14 and Investec Champions Cup winners, Toulouse, who ended on top with 53% of the vote. Glasgow Warriors picked up an admirable 36%, with the Blues on 5% and Saints and Vannes on 3%.

READ MORE: The eye-opening statistics of 2024: Olympic successes, Year of the Springbok, growing global powers?

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