Rugby awards

Ireland dominates World Rugby awards after stellar year

The world number two side won 11 of their 12 tests in 2018, including winning the Grand Slam by going undefeated in the Six Nations and beating the All Blacks for the first time on home soil.

Coach Joe Schmidt, who is set to confirm on Tuesday he'll step down after the World Cup, won coach of the year while the World Rugby Team of the Year also went to Ireland.

They capped off the night with first-five Johnny Sexton beating out All Blacks duo Beauden and Rieko Ioane, along with South African pair Faf de Klerk, and Malcolm Marx for the award. 

All Blacks, Hansen win top awards

RNZ reports the All Blacks claimed the Team of the Year award after breaking the record for most successive wins by a tier one nation while Hansen has won his fourth Coach of the Year title.

Hansen beat out England coach Eddie Jones for the title, Jones' side has gone unbeaten this season.

The All Blacks won their seventh successive Team of the Year award, beating Olympic champions - the Fijian Sevens team, to the title.