Retallick claims top honours

New Zealand lock Brodie Retallick has been named the World Rugby Player of the Year 2014 by an independent panel, the fourth player from his country to win the prestigious award.

The 23-year-old has enjoyed a fantastic year in the middle of the All Blacks' pack and follows in the footsteps of teammates Kieran Read (2013), Dan Carter (2005 and 2012) and Richie McCaw (2006, 2009 and 2010).

He edged out team mate Julian Savea, Ireland's Jonathan Sexton and the Springbok duo of Willie le Roux and Duane Vermeulen for the award, in a closely fought contest, during a year of spectacular performances on the international stage.

The accolade completes a hat trick of awards for New Zealand, as the All Blacks were named World Rugby Team of the Year 2014, for the eighth time, and for the third year in succession, Steve Hansen was awarded the World Rugby Coach of the Year 2014, .

All three of these awards are selected by an independent panel of judges, chaired by Australia's World Cup winning captain John Eales and also comprising Will Greenwood, Gavin Hastings, Raphaël Ibanez, Francois Pienaar, Agustín Pichot, Scott Quinnell, Tana Umaga and Paul Wallace. The panel deliberated on every major Test played in 2014, starting with the opening Six Nations match and culminating with the November Internationals.

A towering presence in the lineout, Retallick has played 35 Tests for New Zealand since making his debut against Ireland in June 2012. His powerful runs and work-rate across the pitch have brought him to the fore in 2014. His partnership with Sam Whitelock makes up arguably the best second row in today's game.

Under Hansen's guidance in 2014, New Zealand equalled the record of 17 consecutive victories by a major nation, secured a series whitewash over England, the Bledisloe Cup for the 12th successive year and won a third Rugby Championship title in a row.

"Once again, the World Rugby Player of the Year award has been closely contested with each of the five nominees having shone on the international stage in 2014," World Rugby Chairman Bernard Lapasset said.

"Brodie Retallick has been at the heart of another hugely successful year for the All Blacks with his superb lineout skills, ball carrying ability and work at the breakdown playing a huge role in a June series win against England, the Rugby Championship title and a strong November series.

"New Zealand showed again in 2014 that they are the team to beat in International Rugby, demonstrating remarkable consistency and dominance, the likes of which has rarely been seen before. And at the helm is their excellent coach Steve Hansen who has managed to keep his players performing at such a high level, match after match."

"It has been another year where the hard work done by this group has been rewarded on the field with outstanding results. We are extremely proud of this team and on behalf of NZ Rugby congratulate Brodie, Steve and the whole team brilliantly lead by Richie and supported by a large group of very committed professionals all of whom unselfishly contribute," New Zealand Chief Executive Steve Tew said.

Previous winners include Kieran Read, Dan Carter, Thierry Dusautoir, Shane Williams, Bryan Habana, Schalk Burger, Jonny Wilkinson and Richie McCaw, with the two All Black centurions the only players to have won the award on more than one occasion.

Previous Player of the Year Award winners:

2013 - Kieran Read (New Zealand)

2012 - Dan Carter (New Zealand)

2011 - Thierry Dusautoir (France)

2010 - Richie McCaw (New Zealand)

2009 - Richie McCaw (New Zealand)

2008 - Shane Williams (Wales)

2007 - Bryan Habana (South Africa)

2006 - Richie McCaw (New Zealand)

2005 - Dan Carter (New Zealand)

2004 - Schalk Burger (South Africa)

2003 - Jonny Wilkinson (England)

2002 - Fabien Galthie (France)

2001 - Keith Wood (Ireland)

Previous Team of the Year Award winners:

2013 - New Zealand

2012 - New Zealand

2011 - New Zealand

2010 - New Zealand

2009 - South Africa

2008 - New Zealand

2007 - South Africa

2006 - New Zealand

2005 - New Zealand

2004 - South Africa

2003 - England

2002 - France

2001 - Australia

Previous Coach of the Year Award winners:

2013 - Steve Hansen (New Zealand)

2012 - Steve Hansen (New Zealand)

2011 - Graham Henry (New Zealand)

2010 - Graham Henry (New Zealand)

2009 - Declan Kidney (Ireland)

2008 - Graham Henry (New Zealand)

2007 - Jake White (South Africa)

2006 - Graham Henry (New Zealand)

2005 - Graham Henry (New Zealand)

2004 - Jake White (South Africa)

2003 - Clive Woodward (England)

2002 - Bernard Laporte (France)

2001 - Rod Macqueen (Australia)