Rugby-McCaw wins IRB player of the year award for second time

By Mitch Phillips

LONDON, Nov 29 (Reuters) - New Zealand captain Richie McCaw has become the first man to win the International Rugby Board Player of the Year award twice after being announced as the 2009 winner.

The 28-year-old flanker previously won it in 2006 and was presented with this year's award after Saturday night's victory over France in Marseille.

"It is a huge honour. I am extremely proud. I am just happy to be part of a team doing well," McCaw said in a statement.

"I am happy to do my bit, but it is a great honour. I said it before, you can't do it without a bunch of mates. It has been a trying year at times, but it is great to be part of a winning team."

South Africa were named Team of the Year after taking the Tri-Nations championship and beating the British and Irish Lions 2-1 while Ireland's Declan Kidney was named Coach of the Year for overseeing his side's superb 12 months, highlighted by their Six Nations grand slam.

(Editing by Kevin Fylan. To comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

((mitch.phillips@reuters.com; +44 20 7542 7933; Reuters Messaging: mitch.phillips.reuters.com@reuters.net. For the new Reuters sports blog Left Field go to: blogs.reuters.com/sport/)) For more rugby click on the newslink [RUGU]