The 23-year-old second row topped the likes of his compatriot Julian Savea, South Africans Willie le Roux and Duane Vermeulen and Ireland's Jonathan Sexton for the award, as New Zealand scored a hat trick of titles by being named World Rugby Team of the Year for the eighth time, while Steve Hansen was crowned World Rugby Coach of the Year for the third year in succession.

Retallick, who has played 35 Tests for New Zealand since making his debut in June 2012, is now the fourth player from his nation to win the title after Kieran Read in 2013, Dan Carter in 2005 and 2012, and Richie McCaw in 2006, 2009 and 2010.

"Once again, the World Rugby Player of the Year award has been closely contested with each of the five nominees having shone on the international stage in 2014," World Rugby chairman Bernard Lapasset said.

"Brodie Retallick has been at the heart of another hugely successful year for the All Blacks with his superb lineout skills, ball carrying ability and work at the breakdown playing a huge role in a June series win against England, the Rugby Championship title and a strong November series."

New Zealand equalled the record of 17 consecutive victories by a major nation, secured a series whitewash over England, the Bledisloe Cup for the 12th successive year and won a third Rugby Championship title in a row under Hansen's guidance this year.

Steve Hansen has been awarded the World Rugby Coach of the Year title for the third year in succession ©Getty Images


"New Zealand showed again in 2014 that they are the team to beat in international rugby, demonstrating remarkable consistency and dominance, the likes of which has rarely been seen before," Lapasset added.

"And at the helm is their excellent coach Steve Hansen who has managed to keep his players performing at such a high level, match after match."

New Zealand Rugby chief executive Steve Tew said: "It has been another year where the hard work done by this group has been rewarded on the field with outstanding results.

"We are extremely proud of this team and on behalf of NZ Rugby congratulate Brodie, Steve and the whole team brilliantly lead by Richie [McCaw] and supported by a large group of very committed professionals all of whom unselfishly contribute."

All three of the award winners were selected by an independent panel of judges, chaired by Australia's Rugby World Cup 1999 winning captain John Eales, and comprising Will Greenwood, Gavin Hastings, Raphaël Ibanez, Francois Pienaar, Agustín Pichot, Scott Quinnell, Tana Umaga and Paul Wallace.



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