Daniel Carter – World Rugby Player of the Year 2015 in association with MasterCard
On ending his international career on a high: “ I knew it was going to be my last game in an All Black jersey and I wanted it to be a memorable one and there’s no bigger stage than playing in the World Cup final. Throughout the week I wasn’t thinking too much about it being my last game or about the outcome or result I just wanted to perform well for my teammates: a special bunch of guys. Fortunately enough I had a good game as did all the guys on the field and I think the team’s success of winning the back to back Rugby World Cups far exceeds any personal accolades that I’ve got.”
On achieving so much this weekend: “It still hasn’t really sunk in. I never expected this and if you had told me my last 24 hours would be like this I wouldn’t have believed you to be honest. It’s been a dream come true. The big goal for me, especially these past couple of years, was wanting to be a part of this All Black World Cup squad let alone having an impact so when I got selected for the World Cup squad that was just the start for me – I had reached one of my goals. But then as soon as I got to that stage I really wanted to add something to this team and help them create history and it’s great to be sitting here knowing that we’ve done that."
On being named World Rugby Player of the Year: “It’s a dream come true. It’s not why you play the game, for personal accolades, but at the same time it’s very pleasing and a very proud moment because I’ve had to work extremely hard, especially these last two to three years with the injuries that I’ve had and the criticism that I’ve had from various people questioning me if I was up to it or not. And to come out fighting on the other side and achieve what I’ve achieved personally but also what the team’s achieved, it has been a very special moment of my career. There’s been a lot of amazing moments throughout my career, right from my first day as an All Black in 2003, when the dream became a reality and to finish it on such a high is very special.”
On the number of key retirements in the squad: “There’s been a lot of talk about the guys finishing up and potentially playing their last game in the All Black jersey but the beauty of New Zealand rugby is that there’s just so much young talent. It’s a real strength. The guys that are departing will be replaced, it’s as simple as that. There’s just so much depth there. With Steve coaching them he will continue to drive such high standards, which is expected when being part of the All Blacks. I’m confident that the success of the All Blacks doesn’t finish now."
Richie McCaw, New Zealand captain – World Rugby Team of the Year
On winning Rugby World Cup 2015: “We wanted to do something that nobody else had done before and that’s winning the World Cup back to back. Nailing it is pretty special. It doesn’t just happen by turning up in 2015, it started back in 2012. I take my hat off, first of all to Steve (Hansen) and his management team that have driven that and then the players that have taken it on board and done it. Yeah, it’s been pretty enjoyable.”
Michael Cheika – World Rugby Coach of the Year
On winning coach of the year: “I think it’s the wrong trophy. We came here to try and get a certain outcome for ourselves. And look, I’m really honoured, don’t get me wrong at all and I’m not quite sure how I beat Steve Hansen with two World Cups in a row. But it’s been such an enjoyable time with the team, the staff, the year we’ve had together so far. It’s only new but it’s been really, really enjoyable and we want to try and improve on what we do and make Australia really proud of its national rugby team.
On the development of Australian rugby going forward: “We want to try and keep the core of this squad together. We’ve got a lot of young guys who can go right through to the next World Cup. We’ve still got our older guys giving the side experience and bringing younger guys through, playing well and then meeting every occasion as it comes.”
Kendra Cocksedge – World Rugby Women’s Player of the Year
On what the award means to her: “It’s obviously a huge privilege and honour to have won such a prestigious award. It’s pretty massive for me and my family, all the hard work and blood, sweat and tears that goes into the game, something like this means it's paid off.”
Nehe Milner-Skudder – World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year
On winning the award: “It’s huge. I just pinch myself everyday to be in this set up and be an All Black and to get recognised like this alongside the other two players. I would like to congratulate the other two lads (Mark Bennett and Vasil Lobzhanidze)for their nominations and their achievements this year.”
On an incredible past 12 months: “Thinking back 12 months from where I am now, I definitely didn’t picture myself sitting here with a World Cup medal and having this award here next to me so I’m just really thankful for all the support I’ve had along the way.”
What next?: “It feels like it’s been a long season – I don’t know how all the seasoned campaigners do it. Backing up with international tests and Super Rugby, you can see why they’re the best in the world and I think I’ll be looking forward to a pretty good break.
Nigel Owens – World Rugby Referee Award
On the receiving the award: “It’s pretty special being awarded the World Cup final and then to be awarded this as well really is special. There are a lot of other referees out there who are just as worthy if not more worthy than me, not only on the international stage but the referees who give up time in the week, Saturdays and Sundays just to referee kids games, who ensure games can go ahead and who probably don’t get a thank you for it.
Brian O’Driscoll – IRPA Special Merit Award
On sharing the award with Nathan Sharpe: “He’s been a real champion of the game, a great guy but a phenomenal player so to be able to share a moment like that with a player of his calibre makes it more special.”
On RWC 2015: “An exceptional tournament. I’ve been involved in four myself and this definitely looks as though, from every perspective, that it’s eclipsed all of those. The World Cup just seems to be growing each four years and England’s done a magnificent job so there's big pressure on Japan next time out and whoever takes the mantle thereafter.”
On RWC 2015 winners New Zealand: “Not comfortable winners but I think they’re a good nose ahead of everyone else. People started questioning them at the knockout stages when they weren’t putting cricket scores on Namibia and on Georgia but when it comes to the knockout stages there is nobody quite as clinical as them. To score double the points that that Australian team did in the final was pretty impressive.”
Julian Savea – IRPA Try of the Year
On winning best try of the year: “It’s pretty special and I’m really stoked to be here on behalf of the team. It’s really a team effort for us. It took all of us to come here and succeed. It was a special thing for us and I’m pretty happy.”
For a full breakdown of all the awards winners, click HERE >>
