DUBLIN (AP) Kieran Read of New Zealand was voted the IRB player of the year on Tuesday, capping a season when he became the most prolific try-scoring No. 8 in world rugby.
Read beat South Africa lock Eben Etzebeth, Wales fullback Leigh Halfpenny, Italy No. 8 Sergio Parisse and All Blacks winger Ben Smith to the prestigious award, which has been won by a New Zealand player four times in the past five years.
By scoring tries in five straight games up to the 30-22 win over England last month, Read took his overall international tally to 15 eclipsing the record of compatriot Zinzan Brooke.
"I'd like to congratulate Kieran on his award as it is well deserved," said New Zealand coach Steve Hansen, whose side won all 14 of its tests in 2013. "He has been outstanding and has been a major contributor all season."
Unsurprisingly, New Zealand was voted as team of the year for the fourth season running after becoming the first side in the professional era to go through a calendar year with a 100 percent winning record. Hansen is coach of the year, having also won the 2012 award.