The World Rugby Men's 15s Player of the Year is an award presented annually by World Rugby at the World Rugby Awards. It is given to honour "the achievements of those involved at the highest level of the world game on the field". First presented in 2001, it was initially named the IRB International Player of the Year; from 2007 until 2014 it was the IRB Player of the Year and in 2014 it was titled World Rugby Player of the Year, before being given its current name in 2016.
The World Rugby Awards are given out annually by World Rugby, the worldwide governing body for rugby union, for major achievements in the sport. The idea of rewarding excellence in rugby was disclosed in 2001 following the Annual Meeting of the International Rugby Board Council in Copenhagen, and the first ceremony was first awarded later that year. The International Rugby Players' Association also gives out awards, for Try of the Year, and Special Merit, as a part of the programme. As of 2021, they now present Women's Try of the Year.
Samuel Lawrence Whitelock is a former New Zealand rugby union player.
Sio Julian Savea is a New Zealand professional rugby union player. He currently plays Wing or Centre for Wellington in the National Provincial Championship and Moana Pasifika in Super Rugby. Savea formerly played for Toulon in the Top 14 and the Hurricanes in Super Rugby. Between 2012 and 2017, he won 54 caps for New Zealand.
Beauden John Barrett is a New Zealand rugby union player who plays as a First five-eighth or Fullback for the Blues in Super Rugby and Taranaki in the Bunnings NPC.
Waisake Ratunideuba Naholo is a New Zealand rugby union player. He previously played for the All Blacks Sevens and on the wing position for London Irish. In May 2022 he signed with Rugby New York, who play in the Major League Rugby competition.
Codie Joshua Dane Taylor is a New Zealand professional rugby union player, who currently plays as a hooker for the Crusaders in Super Rugby and is contracted to Canterbury for New Zealand's domestic National Provincial Championship competition. He represents New Zealand internationally.
Setareki Tamanivalu is a Fijian rugby union player and former All Black. He currently plays in the centre position for Toshiba Brave Lupus.
Nehe Rihara Milner-Skudder is a New Zealand rugby union player who currently plays for the Rugby New York.
David Kaetau Havili is a New Zealand rugby union player who plays as a centre for Tasman in the Bunnings NPC, the Crusaders in Super Rugby and the New Zealand national team the All Blacks.
Oghenemaro Miles Itoje is an English professional rugby union player who plays as a lock for Premiership Rugby club Saracens and the England national team.
Akira Ioane is a New Zealand rugby union player. Ioane plays blindside flanker and number 8 for the Auckland rugby union team in the Mitre 10 Cup, for the Blues in the Super Rugby competition and was selected for the All Blacks in 2017, having previously represented New Zealand internationally in Sevens and the Māori All Blacks.
George Rupuha Skudder was a New Zealand rugby union player. A wing three-quarter, Skudder represented Waikato at a provincial level, and was a member of the New Zealand national side, the All Blacks, from 1969 to 1973. He played 14 matches for the All Blacks including one international, against the touring Welsh side in 1969.
John Ricky Riccitelli is a New Zealand professional rugby union footballer who plays as a hooker for New Zealand franchise Blues. In his youth career, he was selected to play in the 2015 World Rugby Under 20 Championships for New Zealand and took part in Francis Douglas Memorial College first XV.
Jordan Matthew Barrett is a New Zealand rugby union player who currently plays as a centre or fullback for Leinster in the URC, the Hurricanes in Super Rugby and Taranaki in the Bunnings NPC. He represents New Zealand internationally.
George Crispin Bridge is a New Zealand rugby union player who currently plays as an outside back for Montpellier in France's domestic Top 14. Bridge made his international debut for New Zealand in 2018, aged 23.
Eddie Ioane is a Samoan rugby union player. He played as lock.
George Zvi Karl Tu'inukuafe is a New Zealand rugby union player who currently plays for the Blues in Super Rugby, and for North Harbour in the Mitre 10 Cup. His position of choice is loosehead prop.
Rieko Edward Ioane is a New Zealand rugby union player who plays as a Centre or Wing for the Blues in Super Rugby and Auckland in the Bunnings NPC.
Mark Tele'a (2023)
