24 November 2005

South African Rugby Player of the Year Bryan Habana has claimed the prestigious International Rugby Players Association (IRPA) Newcomer of the Year award after a season in which he set the world stage alight.

The lightning fast winger has scored 15 tries in just 14 tests and they've come against all opposition, including twice notching a brace against France, a brace against Australia, another against New Zealand, and two against Wales.

He has, in a word, been electrifying and that quality made him a clear winner of the award ahead of the All Blacks' Sitiveni Sivivatu, also a pacy winger, and Wallaby fullback Drew Mitchell, another player who brings an exciting attacking dimension to the game.

Support of the team
In receiving the award, Habana paid tribute to his Springbok teammates, saying he couldn't have won the award without the support of his team.

"To play for the Springboks is the ultimate honour and I am just so privileged to be part of this exciting team at the moment," he said.

New Zealand's classy Daniel Carter was named IRPA Player of the Year for his commanding performances at flyhalf for the men in black.

He was the key to the Kiwis' three-test sweep of the British and Irish Lions in mid-year and has been in dominating form for the All Blacks on their tour of the United Kingdom and Ireland, playing a match-winning role in the side's recent 23-19 victory over England at twickenham.

2004 winner
In 2004, Springbok flanker Schalk Burger was named both Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year.

New Zealand was named the IRPA Team of the Year ahead of Six Nations champions Wales. During the course of the year the All Blacks have lost just once, going down 22-16 to South Africa in Cape Town. They later avenged that defeat, edging the Springboks 31-27 in Dunedin.

The IRPA Awards are voted on by players from the national teams of South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, England, Ireland, Wales, and France. To prevent biased voting, players may not vote for members of their own teams.

	Bryan Habana has made a habit of scoring two tries in a test match(Photo: SA Rugby)

	Habana SA's rugby player of 2005 All Blacks edge brave Springboks Boks in tight win over Wallabies Boks edge All Blacks in thriller Springboks edge past Australia Springboks retain Mandela plate Springboks honour Breyton, Os Boks down French to win series Boks held by France in Durban Boks sweep IRB awards 2004 Burger named Player of the Year

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