All Blacks second-row Fabian Holland has been named the World Rugby breakthrough player of the year.
The 23-year-old becomes the sixth Kiwi to scoop the award since its inauguration in 2015, following in the footsteps of team-mate Wallace Sititi, who took home the award last year.
The Dutch-born Highlander beat England’s Henry Pollock, South Africa’s Ethan Hooker and Australia’s Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i to claim the prize.
Since making his debut against France in July, the 6 ft 8 in forward has become a mainstay in the All Blacks’ engine room, earning his 12th cap in the 52-26 victory over Wales today at the Principality Stadium.
The win in Cardiff brought Holland’s season to an end, which has been crowned with this award.
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