All Blacks Ardie Savea, Beauden Barrett and Will Jordan have had their seasons recognised with inclusion in World Rugby's Men's Team of the Year, with Stacey Fluhler the Black Ferns named in the women's selection.
In a season that saw the All Blacks lose three tests for the first time since 2009, Ian Foster's side faced a rigorous campaign that included three months away from home to end the year.
As a result, the side's patchy form has counted against them, with South Africans dominating the world selection, with five of the 15 spots.
Loose forward Savea has been named at No.8, after a year that saw him take on the All Blacks' captaincy for the first time in his career, leading New Zealand during their victorious Rugby Championship campaign.
Barrett wins the No.10 jersey as the world's in-form playmaker, seeing off competition from Richie Mo'unga, as well as bringing up a century of test appearances.
Fresh from being named as World Rugby's Breakthrough player of the year, Jordan takes the spot on the right wing, scoring 15 tries in his 11 tests this year.
In the front row, Wales' Wyn Jones was named as the loosehead prop, with Ireland's Tadhg Furlong included as tighthead.
All Black Codie Taylor could count himself unlucky to miss out, with the hooker spot instead going to South Africa's Malcolm Marx.
The form of Sam Whitelock and Scott Barrett in the second row was also overlooked, with England's Maro Itoje and South Africa's Eben Etzebeth named as the locking pair.
In the loose forward trio, South African and Australian captains Siya Kolisi and Michael Hooper take the No.6 and No.7 jerseys respectively, alongside Savea.
At halfback, France captain Antoine Dupont's outstanding year saw him named at No.9, forming a halves pairing with Barrett.
Australia's Samu Kerevi and South Africa's Lukhanyo Am are the midfield combination, with Springbok Makazole Mapimpi named on the left wing.
All Blacks utility back Rieko Ioane's versatility may have cost him a spot in both the midfield and wing, after successfully switching between the two this year.
At fullback, Jordie Barrett could be another All Black to consider himself unlucky, missing to Scotland captain Stuart Hogg.
Barrett established himself as the All Blacks' premier fullback during the Rugby Championship, winning the No.15 jersey from Damian McKenzie.
World Rugby's women's team of the year are dominated by France and England, contributing six and five players respectively.
Fluhler is the only Kiwi inclusion, after returning to the 15-a-side game from a successful Olympics campaign, where the Black Ferns Sevens took home gold from Tokyo.
But New Zealand's fortunes fared differently in 15s, as the Ferns returned from their northern hemisphere tour with a 0-4 record, losing twice to both England and France - the first time the team has lost four consecutive tests.
World Rugby Men's Team of the Year: 1-Wyn Jones (Wales), 2-Malcolm Marx (South Africa), 3-Tadhg Furlong (Ireland), 4-Maro Itoje (England), 5-Eben Etzebeth (South Africa), 6-Siya Kolisi (South Africa), 7-Michael Hooper (Australia), 8-Ardie Savea (New Zealand), 9-Antoine Dupont (France), 10-Beauden Barrett (New Zealand), 11-Makazole Mapimpi (South Africa), 12-Samu Kerevi (Australia), 13-Lukhanyo Am (South Africa), 14-Will Jordan (New Zealand), 15-Stuart Hogg (Scotland).
World Rugby Women's Team of the Year: 1-Annaelle Deshayes (France), 2-Agathe Sochat (France), 3-Sarah Bern (England), 4-Safi N'Diaye (France), 5-Abbie Ward (England), 6-Zoe Aldcroft (England), 7-Karen Paquin (Canada), 8-Poppy Cleall (England), 9-Laure Sansus (France), 10-Caroline Druin (France), 11-Abby Dow (England), 12-Beatrice Rigoni (Italy), 13-Stacey Fluhler (New Zealand), 14-Caroline Boujard (France), 15-Jasmine Joyce (Wales).
