A fitting reward, and award, for a remarkable 2018.
Johnny Sexton has had some fine calendar years, but this year tops the lot. In 2018, Sexton has:
- Kicked 99 points, including that 42-metre drop goal against France that put Ireland on course for the Grand Slam
- Won all nine Test matches he has started
- Won the Six Nations Grand Slam
- Won the Guinness PRO14
- Won the Champions Cup
Earlier this month, Conor Murray was presented with the ‘World Player of the Year’ award at the Midol ‘Rugby Oscars’ ceremony.
On Sunday, in Monaco, it was Sexton’s turn to soak up the acclaim as the brightest and best of rugby assembled under the one roof.
The Leinster and Ireland outhalf was named World Rugby Player of the Year after an expert judging panel, and the captains and coaches of all the leading rugby nations, came to a resounding agreement.
The best of the red carpet at the #WorldRugbyAwards as stars of the game, past and present descend on Monaco pic.twitter.com/v1kJJ08jSq
— World Rugby (@WorldRugby) November 25, 2018
Sexton finished ahead of All Blacks pair Beauden Barrett and Rieko Ioane, and Springboks Faf du Klerk and Malcolm Marx.
Up next for Sexton may be an away trip to Rodney Parade and a game with Dragons in the Guinness PRO14. If he misses that, he will surely return for December’s two Champions Cup ties.
Elsewhere on the night, Ireland won Team of the Year and Joe Schmidt won Coach of the Year.
Congratulations to @irishrugby's Joe Schmidt, the World Rugby Coach of the Year 2018 #WorldRugbyAwards pic.twitter.com/ys95fVATYU
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) November 25, 2018
A greenwash!
