Stander voted Zurich IRUPA Players' Player of the Year 2016
Van der Flier voted Young Player on his international debut season
5th May 2016: Munster and Ireland's CJ Stander was last night voted the Zurich IRUPA Players' Player of the Year 2016 by his fellow players at the 14th annual Awards ceremony. The South African born Irish international had an outstanding debut season for his adopted country. Stander earned his first cap in Ireland’s opening Six Nations draw against Wales where he was named man of the match, he continued this rich vein of form for the remainder of the campaign scoring his first international try against Italy. CJ was appointed stand-in in captain for Munster and has been the stand out player for his province. Supporters agreed with the views of the players with CJ also taking home The Irish Times Supporters' Player of the Year 2016.
Josh Van der Flier has been named the Nevin Spence Young Player 2016 after impressing all season for Leinster and making his debut for Ireland against England in the Six Nations Championship.
On receiving the award CJ commented: "I'm delighted to win this award, receiving recognition from my fellow peers is the ultimate accolade. I will remember this season fondly, from winning my first cap, to scoring my first international try and ultimately winning this award". CJ as well as all the winners receive a Casio watch kindly provided by Casio and Fields Jewelers.
Joining Ireland's heroes in the BNY Mellon IRUPA Hall of Fame was Munster and Ireland Ronan O’Gara. Leinster's Isaac Boss was awarded the Vodafone Medal for Excellence, which rewards on field effort combined with off field commitment to the game.
The Zurich Contribution to Irish Society was presented to former Leinster player Niall Breslin in recognition of his work raising awareness of mental health and various other charities.
The BNY Mellon Women's Fifteens Player of the Year 2016 as voted by members of the Ireland squad was presented to another Irish international debutant, Sene Naoupu, for her outstanding performances. The winner of the Women's Sevens Player of the Year 2016 was Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe who helped Ireland to qualify for the World Series for the first time.
In a season to be remembered for Connacht which was full outstanding performances, members of the public voted for the provinces first win in 29 years in Limerick as the Powerscourt Hotel Resort & Spa as the Rugby Moment of the Year via Twitter. The award was collected by Connacht's captain John Muldoon.
Omar Hassanein, CEO of IRUPA commented: "Winning an IRUPA award is the highest honour a player can receive, all the winners and nominees have the total respect of those who they play with and against. I am delighted for CJ, the award he received is a superb reflection of the fantastic season he has enjoyed with both Ireland and Munster Rugby."
Conor Brennan, CEO of Zurich Insurance plc, Ireland said "Congratulations to all the winners – and to each of the finalists, too. The young men and women involved in rugby continue to be role models for so many people here in Ireland and true ambassadors for our country. Zurich is absolutely delighted to be sponsor of these Awards, recognizing achievements both on and off the pitch. We look forward to continuing our support of IRUPA and the Tackle Your Feelings campaign, which we hope will do a great deal to improve our attitudes and approach to mental health here in Ireland.”
Pictured at the Irish Rugby Players' Awards 2016
From left: CJ Stander who was named Zurich IRUPA Players’ Player of the Year 2016 and Conor Brennan CEO of Zurich Insurance plc.
ZURICH IRUPA PLAYERS' PLAYER OF THE YEAR 2016
Winner: CJ STANDER Munster
Nominations:
Robbie Henshaw Connacht
CJ Stander Munster
Jack McGrath Leinster
Rory Best Ulster
NEVIN SPENCE YOUNG PLAYER OF THE YEAR 2016
Winner: Josh Van Der Flier Leinster
Nominations:
Josh Van Der Flier Leinster
Stuart McCloskey Connacht
Gary Ringrose Leinster
VOLKSWAGEN TRY OF YEAR 2016
Winner: Jamie Heaslip Ireland v Italy RBS 6 Nations
Nominations:
Craig Gilroy Ulster v Scarlets Guinness Pro12
Jamie Heaslip Ireland v Italy RBS 6 Nations
Matt Healy Connacht v Grenoble Challenge Cup
ZURICH CONTRIBUTION TO IRISH SOCIETY 2016
Niall Breslin
VODAFONE MEDAL FOR EXCELLENCE 2016
Winner: Isaac Boss Leinster
Nominations:
Isaac Boss Leinster
Ronan Loughney Connacht
John Muldoon Connacht
BNY MELLON IRUPA HALL OF FAME 2016
Inducted: Ronan O'Gara Munster
The IRISH TIMES SUPPORTERS' PLAYER OF THE YEAR 2016
Winner: CJ Stander Munster
POWERSCOURT HOTEL RESORT & SPA MOMENT OF THE YEAR 2016
Ireland winning the RBS Six Nations Title as voted by the public on Twitter @PowerscourtHtl #PHMoment16.
BNY MELLON WOMEN'S FIFTEENS PLAYER OF THE YEAR 2016
Sene Naoupu
WOMEN’S SEVENS PLAYER OF THE YEAR 2016
Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe