Scrumqueens 2013 Awards: Part 2

Yesterday we named our Young Player of the Year, our Coach of the Year, Sevens Coach of the Year and our Club and Team of the Year. Seeherefor all of those winners!

Enjoy the debate!

WOMEN'S PLAYER OF THE YEARSponsored byRugby WorldandAPTOELLA

Niamh Briggs (Ireland)Briggs was by far the most popular choice for this award by both readers and the judges after her impactful season for Ireland helped her side to the Grand Slam. The fullback, and Irish kicker, played a vital role in Ireland's 2013 season, scoring three tries and kicking 28 points as she helped her side to an historic success in the 6 Nations.

Runners-up:  Rachel Burford (England), Marlie Packer (England), Alison Miller (Ireland) and Kelly Brazier (New Zealand)

SEVENS PLAYER OF THE YEARSponsored byDRYWORLDandAPTOELLA

Portia Woodman (New Zealand)Though a wide range of players from many countries received nominations in this category, for us there was no question that Woodman was the top player in the Sevens world this season. A brilliant season on the World Series was backed up with an excellent World Cup. Woodman, in her early days in the sport, is set to be a star for years.

Runners-up: Kayla McAlister (New Zealand), Jen Kish (Canada), Sharni Williams (Australia), Baizat Khamidova (Russia)

TEAMS OF THE YEAR

Selecting the best possible test and sevens teams was a tough task, leading to much discussion and disagreement!

A number of players received significant nominations for both the sevens and 15s, and five - Patricia Garcia (Spain), Alison Miller (Ireland), Rachel Burford (England), Bianca Farella (Canada) and  Kelly Brazier (New Zealand) - were in very strong contention for both squads. However, as last year, it was decided that players could only appear in one or the other squads, but not both.

TEST MATCH TEAM (15s)

To qualify for selection a player had to have played in at least one test match in 2013 (and ideally more), and selection was based on performances during the year – reputation counted for nothing. The team also had to have balance across the fifteen.

Some positions resulted in long debate, none more so than for fly-half where supporters of France’s Aurelie Bailon - the most reliable goal-kicker in the women’s game in 2013, who transformed her team when she played - took on those backing Katy McLean, already a great player who returned from sevens even better than before. In the end the tie-breaker was the selection of Ireland’s Niamh Briggs at full-back - with her as goal kicker, the scales were tipped in favour of McLean.

Ireland (along with England) have the most players in the starting fifteen, further recognition of their remarkable year.

1 Fiona Coghlan (Ireland)The Irish prop led Ireland to their first major title this year and her experience at the highest level makes her an important figure for her side.

2 Fiao’o Fa’amausili  (New Zealand)The New Zealand hooker leads by example for her team and played another important role in the clean sweep over England this summer. Would grace any international team.

3 Sophie Hemming (England)The England stalwart is a tough scrummager and given her chances this season she also found a nose for the try line twice against Canada. A strong year.

4 Rawinia Everitt (New Zealand)A superb athlete, Everitt is a second row who could play with a much higher number on her back given her skill set and power.

5 Marie Louise O’Reilly (Ireland)​The Irish lock’s frame makes her a formidable presence in her side’s engine-room and a great addition to any pack.

6 Marlie Packer (England)At times in New Zealand this summer, Packer looked like she could take the Black Ferns on on her own with three superb displays. Fiesty and powerful.

7 Kelly Russell (Canada)The Canadian skipper is a superb back row athlete - who’s quick enough to play Sevens, and has had another excellent season. A leader.

8 Safi N’Diaye (France)The French number 8’s form has tailed off late in 2013, but she makes the back row on the back of a storming 6 Nations. At Twickenham she was too much for England to handle and is a real powerhouse.

9 Marie Alice Yahe (France)In our team for the third year, and by far the most popular nomination for the scrumhalf position. So many positives, from sheer technical ability in the position to her ability to inspire and lift a team

10 Katy McLean (England)Although McLean only played a few test games this season, she was peerless against Canada and France and remains the world’s leading fly-half.

11 Alison Miller (Ireland)A brilliant season at both 15s and 7s means Ireland's winger simply couldn't be left out. Powerful and quick, she was superb in the 6 Nations and has been excellent on the 7s circuit.

12 Rachael Burford (England)One of the most reliable centres in the world for many years, Burford ends 2013 on the back of standout performances in the Autumn. A player any team would want on their side

13 Kelly Brazier (New Zealand)Though not really an outside centre, Brazier is just too good to leave out. Brilliant all season on the 7s circuit, she was excellent too for the Black Ferns.

14 Bianca Farella (Canada)Canada’s winger is nippy and has great footwork and she has impressed in 2013. She’ll be a vital player for both Canada’s 7s and 15s team next season

15 Niamh Briggs (Ireland)Ireland’s fullback has enjoyed another great season and her kicking ability makes her a hugely important asset too. One of only two players to make our XV for the third year running, she will be a marked player at the World Cup.

Bench:Laura Russell (Canada), Emma Croker (England), Stephanie TeOhaere-Fox (New Zealand), Latoya Blackwood (Canada), Angela del Pan (Spain), Casey Robertson (New Zealand), Aurelie Bailon (France), Lynne Cantwell (Ireland)

SEVENS SQUAD OF THE YEARSponsored byMaximuscleAgain the basic criteria was that a player must have played international sevens in 2013, and selection was based on performance in the year.

Overall this was an easier task than the test team, but even so it would be possible to select a second team that would very nearly as strong.

The lack of England players is notable but their leading player in 2013 - Rachel Burford - was unavailable due to selection in the test team, while Ireland's rise to the top in sevens is unrewarded for the same reason. Some Brazilian players, such as Edna Santini and Paula Ishibashi,  and Canada's Ghislaine Landry, also had strong support but just missed out.

On the other hand Dutch players received very few nominations this year (a sign of a disappointing year for them), as did countries such as Fiji, China and Japan - a indication perhaps that their players have not yet broken into the wider consciousness.

Overall the selection of four Black Ferns in the final twelve is a just reflection of World Champions and World Series winners' dominance of the game.

Kayla McAlister (New Zealand)The IRB’s player of the year, after the Moscow World Cup, this former netball player is noted for her sheer pace and creativity.  Great footwork, and the Black Fern’s go-to try scorer.

Portia Woodman (New Zealand)Our 7s player of the year, and another former netballer. A key member of the New Zealand team, not just in Moscow, but throughout the year

Huriana Manuel  (New Zealand)Doesn't grab the headlines as much as her more celebrated teammates but the NZ skipper is a superb playmaker and a vital part of a winning side.

Jen Kish  (Canada)Fast, physical, explosive – such an exciting player to watch and key to Canada’s success in 2013.

Mandy Marchak (Canada)Central to Canadian teams in recent years, Marchak has had an exceptional year. In great form throughout, a dangerous and exciting player to watch

Sharni Williams (Australia)Inspirational captain, Australia’s player-of-the-year, central to Australia’s performances – most notably at Dubai where she was a powerhouse.

Baizat Khamidova (Russia)For the opposition, possibly the scariest player on the circuit. Power, strength, speed, physicality she epitomises the Russian approach to women’s sevens that has changed the way the game is played

Patricia Garcia (Spain)Is there anything that this woman cannot do on a rugby field? Speed, with a magnificent step, she acts as Spain’s scrum-half, goal kicker, and throws in at line-outs. Her presence on the field transforms her country’s performances. Also a great inside-centre/scrum-half at XVs she will be a vital part of Spain's World Cup next year.

Honey Hireme (New Zealand)A player no teams enjoy facing down the flanks, Hireme is pacey and powerful and is a superbly physical player. Tough, tough attacker.

Phumeza Gadu (South Africa)The stand-out player for South Africa, given any space at all Phumeza can change a game. The most dangerous player from any team outside the core.

Victoria Folayan (United States)A 200m runner and triple jumper at university, Victoria came late to rugby but she uses that pace to devastating effect on the wing. When she is on form, the USA are a team to be reckoned with.

Nadezda Kudinova( Russia)Formerly Nadezda Yarmotskaya, this young scrumhalf adds skillful footwork and great awareness to the physicality of the Russian team. The starting point of many Russian plays, she is very often there to finish them as well. Also led a young Russian team to a Gold in the World Student Games.