All Blacks forward Ardie Savea has been crowned the planet's best men's 15s player at World Rugby's annual awards.
The No.8 took home the top individual men's prize at the ceremony in Paris, beating out fellow nominees Bundee Aki (Ireland), Eben Etzebeth (South Africa) and Antoine Dupont (France).
His award marks the 11th time a New Zealander has received the award in its 22-year history, following in the footsteps of Dan Carter (3), Richie McCaw (3), Beauden Barrett (2), Kieran Read and Brodie Retallick. Barrett was the last All Blacks recipient back in 2017.
The accolade comes on the back of a sparkling World Cup campaign in France, where Savea was consistently one of the All Blacks' standout performers during their run to the final, where they were edged by South Africa.
"Very blessed and very grateful," said Savea, after being announced as the winner by All Blacks great Carter.
"For an individual to stand out, it's based off a foundation and that's the team. Massive shout to [coach Ian Foster], [captain Sam Cane] and my brothers this year and the last couple of years, and the journey that we've been through."
Teammate Mark Telea was also recognised for his remarkable rookie test season with the award for Breakthrough Player of the Year.
Telea emerged as one of the most potent weapons in the NZ backline in 2023, creating the team's only try in the final against the Springboks. The Blues flyer beat 40 defenders during the tournament - second only to All Blacks legend Jonah Lomu in the recordbooks.
"It's a huge honour to receive this," said Telea, who becomes the second straight NZ winner of the award, after Will Jordan's nod last year.
"I just want to say thank you to [Foster], to my teammates. Truly grafeful to be a part of this team.
"My teammates put me in the right part of the field to beat defenders."
Savea was also one of five All Blacks named in the Men's Team of the Year, alongside first-five Richie Mo'unga, lock Scott Barrett and wing Jordan.
Kiwi crosscode sensation Tyla Nathan-Wong was rewarded for her outstanding contribution to the Black Ferns Sevens' world series dominance by being named Women's Sevens Player of the Year, where she was nominated alongside teammate and previous two-time winner Michaela Blyde.
Nathan-Wong, who helped the Kiwi Ferns to victory over world champions Australia in rugby league over the weekend, becomes the seventh NZ winner in the award's 10-year history.
Two-time World Cup winner Carter was acknowledged for his decorated career, with induction into World Rugby's Hall of Fame.
"It's a huge honour," Carter told Newshub on the red carpet. "It's not something you really think about as a player, but when you're nominated, the first thing you think about is your teammates and coaches - the people who played alongside you, and gave you the opportunity just to go out there and play.
"I was a part of some pretty special All Blacks sides, so without them, I wouldn't be here."
