The title is handed out by the International Rugby Board (IRB), and it is the second time that McCaw has won it. The first time was in 2006.

“I said it before, you can’t do it without a bunch of mates,” he said. “It has been a trying year at times, but it is great to be part of a winning team.”

Other players in the running for the award included Brian O’Driscoll, Matt Giteau and Fourie du Preez.

The IRB also named South Africa as the Team of the Year, and Ireland’s Declan Kidney won the award for Coach of the Year.