All Blacks star TJ Perenara has graciously used his magic moment from the Rugby World Cup to praise the victorious Springboks.
Perenara won World Rugby’s try of the year and New Zealand’s Ruby Tui was named women’s sevens player of the year at a glittering awards night in Tokyo.
Predictably the Springboks swept the major awards on the back of their stunning World Cup success – team of the year, coach of the year to Rassie Erasmus and player of the year to Pieter-Steph du Toit.
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All Blacks star TJ Perenara reaches out for the corner and a try of the year touchdown against Namibia at the Rugby World Cup.
When Perenara was handed his award by former All Blacks centre Conrad Smith, he ignored his own deeds and those of his New Zealand team, instead turning his immediate attentions to South Africa who claimed a third World Cup to equal the All Blacks’ record.
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“Cheers mate, thanks for that. I just want to take this moment to congratulate South Africa,” Perenara said to wide applause from the attending audience.
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Ruby Tui in full flight for the New Zealand women’s sevens team.
“Siya [Kolisi] and your guys’ accomplishment. What you guys have done is truly inspiring. I congratulate all the other winners and your awards but what you guys have done inspired a nation, so good s***.”
The All Blacks’ commitment to attacking rugby, so destroyed by England in the semifinals, was rewarded by Perenara’s incredible try in the pool win over Namibia gaining recognition.
Playing in the unfamiliar role of first-five against Namibia at Tokyo Stadium, TJ Perenara side-stepped Prince Gaoseb before racing into opposition territory and producing a stunning pass to George Bridge. Once play was recycled Rieko Ioane popped a pass to Brad Weber whose ridiculous offload found Perenara on the left wing.
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The defence of the Rugby World Cup didn’t end the way TJ Perenara wanted with the All Blacks beaten in the semifinals by England.
The All Blacks replacement set a course for the line, brushing off tackles from Obert Nortje and Helarius Kisting to touch down in the corner with a desperazte dive.
Tui, a powerful runner and tireless worker at the breakdown, is one of the first names down on coach Allan Bunting’s Black Ferns Sevens team sheet.
New Zealand was assured of a victory in this category with Tui beating team mates Sarah Hirini and Tyla Nathan-Wong for the award.
The 27-year-old Tui was named in the HSBC Dream Team for the 2019 series, having started every match and scored 15 tries in their title-winning season.
2019 World Rugby Awards winners
Men’s 15s Player of the Year: Pieter-Steph du Toit (South Africa)
Women’s 15s Player of the Year: Emily Scarratt (England)
Team of the Year: South Africa
Coach of the Year: Rassie Erasmus (South Africa)
Breakthrough Player of the Year: Romain Ntamack (France)
Men’s Sevens Player of the Year: Jerry Tuwai (Fiji)
Women’s Sevens Player of the Year: Ruby Tui (New Zealand)
Referee Award – Wayne Barnes (England)
Vernon Pugh Award for Distinguished Service – Bernard Lapasset (France)
Award for Character: The city of Kamaishi
IRP Special Merit Award – Jamie Heaslip (Ireland)
IRP Try of the Year – TJ Perenara (New Zealand, v Namibia)
