The result follows a fan vote that saw him narrowly edge ahead of South Africa’s electrifying wing Cheslin Kolbe. Van der Flier captured 37% of the vote, with Kolbe close behind on 34%, highlighting just how impactful both players were during this year’s campaign. See the full list of nominees here.
In a team full of grafters, it takes a lot to stand out, but Josh van der Flier did just that.
A standout Autumn for Van der Flier
The 2022 World Rugby Player of the Year has long been regarded as one of the most consistently high-performing players in the game, and this campaign only reinforced the Leinster forward’s standing. Across a series in which Ireland only grew after a stuttering start against New Zealand, Van der Flier was at the centre of everything.
Against the All Blacks in front of a raucous and expectant Aviva Stadium, Van der Flier delivered a masterclass in route-one breakdown work, disrupting the opposition’s flow with his powerful ruck entries and scoring his side’s only try – despite Andy Farrell’s men eventually succumbing to the visitors.
He was equally instrumental against Argentina, making a game-high 24 tackles and beating three defenders, as well as making 14 carries as Ireland overpowered Los Pumas 37-23.
Against Fiji, Van der Flier showcased his versatility, stepping into a more attacking role in an open game, paving the way for teammates to score and touching down for a try of his own in a convincing 52-17 win.
In the final match of the series, a gripping 22-19 victory over Australia, Van der Flier was once again on the scoresheet – involved twice in the build-up, no less – and delivered in the tight exchanges, before his involvement in the final ruck helped seal the win.
Overall, his stats across the four matches in this campaign underline his influence: three tries, 27 carries, 45 tackles, 101 rucks hit. As the stats from Opta show, the 31-year-old made a combined average of 68 carries, tackles and rucks per 80 minutes – more than any player of any nation to feature for 100 or more minutes.
Van der Flier was not just Ireland’s engine, then, he was its heartbeat.
A series to savour, and more to come
Personal accolades aside – and there have been many for the openside – Van der Flier’s focus will already be shifting to the upcoming 2025 Guinness Men’s Six Nations, where Ireland will look to defend their title and make it three consecutive Championship wins. His form will be crucial as the squad begins preparations for what promises to be a pivotal year, with a British and Irish Lions tour to Australia in the summer.
