It has not been a vintage year by the All Blacks’ lofty standards but they‚ and New Zealand rugby‚ swept the World Rugby awards in Monte Carlo on Sunday night. The Black Ferns‚ the Kiwi women’s team‚ made history by becoming the first female team to win the overall Team of the Year gong as reward for winning the 2017 Women’s World Cup that was played in Ireland. They beat England’s men and the All Blacks for the award. The All Blacks lost two matches in 2017 – once to the British & Irish Lions and one to Australia‚ while they also drew the third Test against the Lions. It was the first time since 2011 that the All Blacks had lost more than a game in a calendar year. All Black flyhalf Beauden Barrett, though, was named World Player of the Year‚ retaining the crown he won in 2016. Barrett became only the second player to win the prestigious award two years in a row‚ matching the achievement of his former All Blacks captain Richie McCaw in 2009-10. He received the award ahead of four o...
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