Rugby World Cup champion Bryan Habana wins player-of-year award


A day after helping South Africa beat England to win the Rugby World Cup, Bryan Habana has been named the game's player of the year by the International Rugby Board in a Springbok sweep of the top awards.

The winger, who equalled Jonah Lomu's record of eight tries at a single World Cup, played the full 80 minutes of Saturday's 15-6 victory over England at the Stade de France although he failed to add to his total in a tryless final.


Habana received the award after a gala dinner in Paris on Sunday. Other players nominated were Argentina centre Felipe Contepomi and fly-half Juan Martin Hernandez, whose team placed third by beating France 34-10 on Friday, New Zealand captain Richie McCaw and France centre Yannick Jauzion.


South Africa was named team of the year and Jake White received the coach of the year award.