New Zealand’s fly half Dan Carter kicks the ball during their final match of the 2015 Rugby World Cup against Australia at Twickenham stadium, south west London, on October 31, 2015. Carter, who also won the award in 2005 and 2012, scored 19 points in Saturday’s final and was Man of the Match in his 112th and last international appearance. PHOTO | AFP
All Blacks fly-half Dan Carter was named World Player of the Year for the third time on Sunday, a day after inspiring his country to a 34-17 World Cup final win over Australia.
Carter, who also won the award in 2005 and 2012, scored 19 points in Saturday’s final and was Man of the Match in his 112th and last international appearance.
The 33-year-old joins his captain Richie McCaw as a three-time recipient of the prestigious accolade, whose other previous winners include Thierry Dusautoir, Bryan Habana and Jonny Wilkinson.
New Zealand were also named Team of the Year after becoming the first nation to successfully defend the World Cup.
Australia coach Michael Cheika received the Coach of the Year accolade after transforming the Wallabies in his 12 months at the helm, guiding them to the Rugby Championship title and the World Cup final.
Nehe Milner-Skudder, 24, was named Breakthrough Player of the Year and his fellow All Blacks winger Julian Savea got Try of the Year for his blockbusting score against France in the quarter-finals.
Carter is the all-time leading points scorer in international rugby with 1,598 points to his name.
He received Sunday’s award ahead of five other nominees — All Blacks team-mate Savea, Australia flanker Michael Hooper and number eight David Pocock, Wales second-row Alun Wyn Jones and Scotland scrum-half Greig Laidlaw.
