NEWS:WHILE NEW Zealand almost swept the boards at the annual International Rugby Board awards ceremony on Sunday night in London, there was some good news for the Celtic nations with Shane Williams named International Board Player of the Year for 2008, Irish captain Brian O'Driscoll winning the award for Best Try of the Year and 1948 Irish Grand Slam winner Jack Kyle inducted into the IRB Hall of Fame.
The 31-year-old Williams, who scored six tries during the 2008 Six Nations to break the Wales all-time try-scoring record, is the first Welshman to pick up the most prestigious individual award on the rugby calendar.
Williams fought off stiff competition from New Zealand outhalf and 2005 player of the year Dan Carter, his Welsh teammate and captain, Ryan Jones, Scotland scrumhalf Mike Blair and Italy captain Sergio Parisse, to win the nomination from a judging panel convened by double Rugby World Cup winner John Eales.
"It's quite mad to be honest," said Williams moments after receiving the award. "It's been a hell of a year and this has just capped it off really. It's the biggest honour you can get as an individual in rugby and it's totally overwhelming."
Williams' success prevented a clean-sweep for New Zealand of the top awards as New Zealand reclaimed the IRB Team of the Year award while Graham Henry was named IRB Coach of the Year.
For the All Blacks and Henry, the awards capped a year that saw the team bounce back from a disappointing RWC 2007 to win the Tri-Nations in 2008. To date New Zealand has a record 12 wins from 14 Test matches with the possibility of a successful grand slam tour of the Northern Hemisphere on the cards if they beat England at Twickenham next Saturday.
"It's been very satisfying," said Henry reflecting on the year and his award. "There have been 15 or so players who left us after the Rugby World Cup to play in this part of the world so it's great to have a team that's relatively young and inexperienced come through and do the business."
Kiwi, DJ Forbes, was named IRB Sevens Player of the Year, while compatriot Luke Braid won the IRB Junior Player of the Year. The new category was introduced to reflect performances at the IRB Junior World Championship which made its debut in 2008.
The International Rugby Players' Association (IRPA) Special Merit award went to former Argentina captain Agustin Pichot in recognition of his tremendous service to the game on and off the field and in particular for his role over the last decade in helping drive Argentina into the top five of the world.
The IRPA Try of the Year was awarded to the Irish team and O'Driscoll who scored a wonderful try against Australia in June during Ireland's summer tour.
The ceremony also saw the announcement of five inductees into the IRB Hall of Fame. Established in 2006 to chronicle the achievements and the special contribution of players, coaches, administrators, match officials, institutions and individuals, the 2008 inductees are; 1888 Natives Team of New Zealand and their captain Joe Warbrick, Melrose Club and Ned Haig, Ireland and Lions legend Dr Jack Kyle, Argentina great Hugo Porta.
