The 29-year-old flanker led an all All Black clean sweep of the major prizes with Tri-Nations champions New Zealand, beaten just once in 2010, named team of the year and Graham Henry coach of the year for a record fourth time.
"This award is very special but wouldn't happen without an exceptional team who are good mates, and that's something I am equally proud of," McCaw said.
Henry added: "I am very proud to be awarded this honour again. The award reflects the hard work of the team, and I am delighted the All Blacks have also been named IRB team of the year."
He also paid tribute to McCaw, the only repeat winner of the IRB player of the year award since its inception in 2001.
"Richie McCaw is a phenomenal captain. He just gets better and better the more he does it and the team now is a very experienced side with him and Mils on 94 caps each, and nine players in the side with more than 50 caps."
Former Australia great John Eales, who led an awards panel made up of former internationals with more than 500 Test caps between them, said: "Rugby is fortunate to have a player and person of the calibre of Richie McCaw.
"He is an outstanding captain, a world-class player and a role model for our sport. In winning the award three times, Richie has truly cemented his place right up there amongst some of the greats."
COPIED AND PASTED FROM THIS LINK
No comments:
Post a Comment