All Blacks first-five Beauden Barrett admitted he was 'surprised' to win his second-straight Men's Player of the Year prize at the World Rugby awards on Monday (NZ time).
The 26-year-old beat fellow All Black Rieko Ioane, English duo Maro Itojie, Own Farrell and Wallabies Israel Folau fullback for the top prize in Monaco.
He joins Richie McCaw and Dan Carter as the only players to win the top player award multiple times, with his former teammates both picking up the accolade three times.
In 13 Test matches in 2017, Barrett scored 168 points including six tries and a record 45 conversions.
Despite winning the award, Barrett didn't believe he was going to claim it for the second consecutive year.
"My top lip was quivering when I was up there saying in my speech it is obviously a great buzz," he told Newshub.
"The players who were in the mix to receive the award tonight have all had good seasons and I'm a little surprised because I know how well they played."
The Hurricanes and Taranaki star believed Rieko Ioane was going to win the award.
Ioane, who had his All Blacks debut last year, burst onto the international scene against the British and Irish Lions and finished the season with 10 tries.
"I had my money on him actually. He has had a great season.
"He won the emerging player he has had a great season and to think he is only 20 is quite scary. I don't he knows how good he can be and I'm very happy for him."
Newshub.
