Harvey is the first Canadian to win the award after edging out fellow nominees Niamh Briggs of Ireland, French number eight Safi N'Diaye and her Canada team mate and captain Kelly Russell.

The 24-year-old was instrumental in Canada's run to their first ever final in the competition registering 61 points from five matches that included scoring all nine of Canada's points in their defeat to England during the final at the Stade Jean-Bouin in Paris.

She finished second only to England's Emily Scarratt - with 70 points - as the tournament's top scorer.

The Rugby Club Quebec star bagged a hat-trick of tries in an opening day win over Spain while her 80 metre solo effort against hosts France in the semi-final was one of the highlights of the tournament.

"I would like to congratulate Magali on winning this prestigious award," said IRB chairman Bernard Lapasset.

"It is extremely well deserved.

"She has lit up the Women's Rugby World Cup 2014 with her combination of electrifying pace, elusive running, ferocious defence and accurate place-kicking.

"Her try against France in the semi-final was perhaps the tournament highlight and certainly one of the tries of the year.

"I was privileged to have been sitting in the stand to watch it live."

Harvey was one of the stars of the World Cup in France leading the scoring charts for Canada with 61 points ©Getty Images



Lapasset also paid tribute to the three other players on the shortlist and hailed the success of the tournament in Paris which saw the 12 best teams in women's rugby competing in the eighth edition of the World Cup.

England's 21-9 victory over Canada in the final was the second time the title was claimed by the Red Roses following their win in 1994 in Scotland.

"The fact that so many spectators have come to watch, as well as record television audiences at home, is a testament to the quality of rugby that has been on display," added Lapasset.

"The women's game is certainly on the up and we will be doing everything we can at the IRB to make sure that upward trend continues."

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