The Fiji sevens team have been nominated for World Rugby's team of the year award following their gold medal winning performance at the Rio Olympics.
The World Series champions will duke it out against the All Blacks, who are on an 18 match winning streak in test rugby, and Six Nations champions England.
Gold medalists Fiji celebrate during the men’s rugby sevens medal ceremony during the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Deodoro Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on August 11, 2016. Photo: AFP/Pascal Guyot
Ben Ryan is also up for coach of the year honours, after Fiji successfully defended their World Series crown and triumphed in Brazil.
The Englishman was awarded the Companion of the Order of Fiji and gifted three acres of land, and the name Ratu Peni Raiyani Latianara, after helping the Pacific nation win Olympic gold.
Fiji sevens coach Ben Ryan Photo: PHOTOSPORT
He will be vying for the award alongside All Blacks mentor Steve Hansen and England coach Eddie Jones.
Fiji captain Osea Kolinisau is joined on the shortlist for the Sevens Player of the Year by France's Virimi Vakatawa, who was born in Fiji, and South Africa's Seabelo Senatla.
Fiji's Osea Kolinisau scores a try in the men’s rugby sevens gold medal match. Photo: AFP
