Scrumqueens 2018 Awards: Part 2

We look at the best young player, rising star and squads of the year

Published by Alison Donnelly, December 29th, 2018

4 minute read

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Scrumqueens 2018 Awards: Part 2

Scrumqueens 2018 XV Squad of the year(click to read more)15 Jessy Tremouliere (France), 14 Lydia Thompson  (England), 13 Stacey Waaka (New Zealand), 12 Ann Soiluva (Finland), 11 Caroline Boujard (France), 10 Pauline Bourdon (France), 9 Kendra Cocksedge (New Zealand)1 Vikki Cornborough  (England). 2 Fiao'o Faamausili (New Zealand) 3: Julie Duval (France) 4: Abbie Scott 5: Safi N'Diaye (France) 6: Gaelle Hermet (France) 7 Claire Molloy (Ireland) 8 Romane Menager (France)

Scrumqueens 2018 7s Squad of the Year(click to read more)Michaela Blyde (New Zealand), Charlotte Caslick (Australia), Anne-Cecile Ciofani (France) , Sarah Goss (New Zealand) , Camille Grassineau (France) , Alev Kelter (United States) , Ghislaine Landry (Canada) , Marjorie Mayans (France) , Evania Pelite (Australia) , Ruby Tui (New Zealand), Sharni Williams (Australia), Portia Woodman (New Zealand),

Scrumqueens 2018 XV Team of the YearFranceIt is perhaps no surprise that with France making a clean sweep of our 15s awards this year, we are left with very little new to say about their impressive season. Even so, it is worth repeating that a Grand Slam title and a first ever win over the world champion Black Ferns has made 2018 a year to live long in the memory for France, but to do so in front of massive home crowds, even by French standards,  and to have four players nominated for World Rugby's player of the Year - made this an astonishing year for the French. The second test against New Zealand in Grenoble will long live in the memory, the French learning from their narrow loss in the opening game when, by their own admission, they gave their opponents too much respect, to take the game to the World Champions in an electrifying display. France have always been an exciting team to watch, but at the same time in the past have had a certain fragility and a tendency to follow great performances with something less so. There was no sign of that in 2018.

Scrumqueens 2018 7s Team of the YearNew ZealandEven by their own high standards, it has been an exceptional year for New Zealand who pocketed the Commonwealth Games gold and the World Cup. They have been remarkably good, consistent and a joy to watch and they have been rightly rewarded back in New Zealand where their achievements have also landed them the prestigious Lonsdale Cup. Along the way, they have made even bigger stars of players like Portia Woodman, Michaela Blyde, Gayle Broughton, Kelly Brazier and Sarah Goss and they play a stunning brand of the game. They will take some catching in the years ahead.

Scrumqueens 2018 Young Player of the YearRomane Menager (France)Remarkably the French backrow is still only 22 years old. She backed up her breakthrough 2017 World Cup performances with an assured 2018, playing an important role in the 6 Nations win before really coming into her own against New Zealand. Her try in the second test was unforgettable.

Scrumqueens 2018 Breakthrough of the YearRachel Johnson (USA)The USA backrow player has had to wait patiently before getting her shot in the national jersey and when it came, the 27 year old took it with both hands. Selected by Rob Cain for her debut series, she was outstanding in the Autumn  with her athleticism and strength proving a huge asset for the USA and she is set to grow into the test game and become a backbone of a very new look and exciting American outfit in the lead up to the next World Cup.

Scrumqueens 2018 Unsung HeroandAdministrator of the Year(click to read more)Veronika Muehlhofer (Switzerland)

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