Scrumqueens Awards 2016: Part 3. Players

We've already announced ourCoaches of the Yearand ourTeams of the Year.Now it's the turn of the world's leading players.

Test Player of the YearShortlist: Kendra Cocksedge (NZL), Patricia Garcia (ESP), Julianne Zussman (CAN)Winner:Kendra Cocksedge

Kendra Cocksedge (NZL)is our test player of the year,12 months after just missing out on this award to Ireland’s Sophie Spence. While New Zealand only played five tests this year (winning all of them) Cocksedge’s elevation to becoming the beating heart of a rejuvenated Black Ferns was key. Her influence at scrum-half is hugely significant and she has been close to player of the match in most of the games she has played. She is the most experienced member of the NZ backline and in a side full of electric stars (Selica Winiata is unlucky to miss out here too) her control at the base has been brilliant. After years of sitting behind Emma Jenson, it is now not far-fetched to suggest that Cocksedge is New Zealand's key player going into the World Cup and the one they can least afford to do without.

Runners-upPatricia Garcia (ESP)has had a hectic year, as a pivotal figure for her country in both sevens and test rugby. It is in 15s though that she was nominated here, for her superb efforts in helping Spain to win this year’s European Championships, with her year culminating in helping her side to back-to-back wins over Scotland that secured Spain a return to the World Cup this summer. She remains her nation's figurehead and most high profile player with her pace and kicking ability marking her out as one of the world’s finest half-backs.

Julianne Zussman (CAN)is a brilliant player who is often overlooked when it comes to headlines and superlatives, but the Canadian fullback has had an excellent year in helping her nation to a Super Series title as well as to a big win over Ireland in the Autumn. Zussman was the player of the Super Series, which made her non-inclusion in World Rugby’s end of year shortlist something of a surprise, and the proven try scorer will be a key figure for Canada in a World Cup year.

Sevens Player of the Year

Shortlist: Charlotte Caslick (AUS), Camille Grassineau (FRA), Portia Woodman (NZL)Winner:Charlotte Caslick (AUS),

Charlotte Caslick (AUS) is our sevens player of the year for 2016,and there really could not be another choice. She was also World Rugby’s player of the year, and has become one of the most recognisable faces of Australian rugby inspiring a massive growth of the women’s game. The scrum-half is much more a play-maker that the other nominees on our shortlist, coming into sevens from touch – and that footwork and awareness shows in her game. Caslick was simply outstanding in 2016, and the heart of the Gold Medal winners and World Series Champions.

Runners-up

Camille Grassineau (FRA)earned a permanent place in rugby history as the scorer of the first try at an Olympic Games on the return of the sport after a 92-year absence. Grassineau had been a regular member French squad from the start of their time in the World Series, but without being outstanding – but in 2016 the 26 year-old exploded to prominence, her powerful running and tackling becoming a feature of the French team. It was a remarkable turnaround, taking her team to two European finals and an Olympic quarter-final.

Portia Woodman (NZL)The former netball-player switched to rugby in 2013 and has electrified crowds ever since. Given any room at all her incredible pace and vision all but guarantees a score. She is greatest point and try scorer in World Series history, crossing the line 124 times – nearly a third more than any other player – scoring more than a try per game. She was as brilliant as ever in 2016, and might have been an obvious choice as player of the year but for one other player...

Young (U23) Player of the Year:

Shortlist: Charlotte Caslick (AUS), Amy Cokayne (ENG), Elena Zdrokova (RUS)Winner:Amy Cokayne (ENG),

Amy Cokayne (ENG) is our young player of the year,and at just 20-years-old the chances are high she’ll be in contention for this award (which goes to players under the age of 23) for some time. The England hooker now has 20 caps and she had an excellent 2016, which included a hatful of tries, including against the USA, France and Canada. While she has made getting on the end of rolling mauls something of a specialty, she continues to improve her ball carrying and set-piece work and her progress suggests she will be around for some time to come. An outstanding young player who could have played for either New Zealand or England.

Runners-up

Charlotte Caslick (AUS) (see above)

Elena Zdrokova (RUS)The Russian teenager (she only turned 20 on Boxing Day) played a few games in the 2014/15 season, but seized her chance in 15/16 as a regular squad member to become Russia's top scorer in the World Series, and have a wonderful European Championship where she was hailed as her side's player of the tournament. Her explosive pace was the one great plus for a Russian team that had a disappointing year. Elena seems to particularly enjoy playing against England/Great Britain - it was her tries that were decisive in Russia's win in Dubai, and also she was the difference when they met in the Europeans in Kazan, coming off the bench to make the vital score.