Wales winger Shane Williams is celebrating after being crowned IRB Player of the Year. The 31-year-old Ospreys player saw off competition from Wales captain Ryan Jones, New Zealand fly-half Dan Carter, Scotland captain Mike Blair and Italy skipper Sergio Parisse to land the award at a gala dinner in London.
Brian O'Driscoll's try against the Wallabies in June was voted the The International Rugby Players' Association (IRPA) Try of the Year while Dr Jack Kyle was inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Williams scored six tries in the 2008 Six Nations and was named player of the tournament as Wales won the Grand Slam.
He broke Gareth Thomas' try-scoring record in the title-clinching victory over France and has scored 43 tries in 60 Tests for his country - 14 of them in his last 13 Tests - after making his debut against Italy in 2000.
Swansea-born Williams has also represented the Lions, winning caps against Argentina and New Zealand three years ago.
Williams could not contain his pride at having scooped the award and said: "It's quite mad to be honest.
"It's been a hell of a year and this has just capped it off really. It's the biggest honour you can get as an individual in rugby and it's totally overwhelming."
He added: "Just being nominated was humbling. And to receive the award from Bryan Habana, who is one of the best - if not the best - winger in the world means so much to me.
"I was more nervous up there (on stage) than I was facing the Haka yesterday."
Williams' award was the only one not to go to New Zealand, with the All Blacks taking IRB Team of the Year and Graham Henry named IRB Coach of the Year.
"It's been very satisfying," said former Wales coach Henry.
"There have been 15 or so players who left us after the Rugby World Cup to play in this part of the world so it's great to have a team that's relatively young and inexperienced come through and do the business."
IRB Awards 2008
IRB Player of the Year: Shane Williams (Wales)
IRB Team of the Year: New Zealand
IRB Coach of the Year: Graham Henry (New Zealand)
IRB Junior Player of the Year: Luke Braid (New Zealand)
IRB Sevens Player of the Year: DJ Forbes (New Zealand)
Spirit of Rugby Award: Roelien Muller and Patrick Cotter
Vernon Pugh Award for Distinguished Service: Sir Nicholas Shehadie
IRB Referee Award for Distinguished Service: Andre Watson
IRB International Women's Personality of the Year: Carol Isherwood
IRB Development Award: Tag Rugby Development Trust and Martin Hansford
IRPA Special Merit Award: Agustin Pichot
IRPA Try of the Year: Brian O'Driscoll, Australia v Ireland
IRB Hall of Fame inductees: 1888 Natives Team of New Zealand & Joe Warbrick, Melrose & Ned Haig, Dr Jack Kyle, Hugo Porta and Philippe Sella.
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