KEY POINTS:
Richie McCaw's dream season just keeps on coming.
McCaw, yesterday named International Rugby Board player of the year, has also been chosen by journalists in the Dream Team picked from the many end of year internationals in Europe.
McCaw, who led the All Blacks to 11 wins from 12 tests this year, headed a success triple for the All Blacks in the IRB awards, announced in Glasgow.
He was also named as captain of the Dream Team which also included All Blacks Joe Rokocoko, Conrad Smith, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Dan Carter, Jerry Collins, Ali Williams and Carl Hayman.
The All Blacks were Team of the Year for the second consecutive year and head coach Graham Henry took the Coach of the Year award.
The All Blacks have been the outstanding team in 2006 and will finish the year at No 1 in the world rankings, a position they have occupied since June 2004.
>>> View our pictorial wrap-up of the All Blacks' northern hemisphere tour>>>
Last year's Player of the Year, Daniel Carter, again instrumental in the All Blacks' success, was shortlisted for this year's top prize.
The Player of the Year award was considered by a panel of rugby greats with 503 caps between them - among them Jonathan Davies, Keith Wood, Will Greenwood and Fabien Galthie.
The panel was chaired by double Rugby World Cup winner John Eales.
All major test matches during 2006 were considered with Australia's Chris Latham, South Africa's Fourie du Preez and Ireland lock Paul O'Connell all shortlisted alongside McCaw and Carter for the award.
The award for IRB Sevens Team of the Year went to 2005-06 IRB Sevens Series winners and current World Cup Sevens champions Fiji. Samoa's captain, Uale Mai, was named Sevens Player of the Year.
The Vernon Pugh Award for distinguished service went to former All Black captain Brian Lochore.
The IRB also announced the inaugural inductees into the new IRB Hall of Fame, William Webb Ellis and Rugby School.
- NZPA
