Rugby: Woodman named best women's player

Portia Woodman enjoyed a stellar 2017 season. PHOTO/GETTY IMAGES

Star winger Portia Woodman has been rewarded for a stellar season after being named women's player of the year at the World Rugby awards.

The Kaikohe flyer was an integral part of the Black Ferns Women's World Cup victory in Ireland, beating England 41-32 in the final.

Woodman played every minute of the World Cup where she scored 13 tries and was the focal point of a polished Black Ferns backline, finishing the tournament the top try and point scorer.

In typical fashion she gave her Black Ferns teammates the credit for her top class 2017.

"Honestly they make me look good," Woodman said.

All Blacks number 10 Beauden Barrett has joined Richie McCaw as the only other player to win back-to-back player of the year gongs at the World Rugby awards in Monaco.

Barrett was today named World Rugby's best male player, beating out teammate Rieko Ioane, Australia's Israel Folau, England and Lions first-five Owen Farrell and England and Lions lock Maro Itoje.

The 26-year-old scored 168 points in 13 tests this year including six tries and a record 45 conversions.

He joins McCaw and Dan Carter as the only players to win the top player award multiple times with his former teammates both winning the accolade three times.

The Black Ferns beat their male counterparts to be named team of the year.

The women's Rugby World Cup champions won the award ahead of Rugby Championship winners and Six Nations champions England.