This year's World Rugby Women's Sevens Player of the Year will be a New Zealander after Black Ferns Sevens stars Michaela Blyde, Portia Woodman and captain Sarah Goss were nominated
Women's Sevens all-time try scorer Portia Woodman a nominee for 2018 player of the year Photo: KLC fotos / World Rugby
World Rugby's announcement of nominations comes just a day after the Black Ferns Sevens got their new international season under way, claiming the Glendale Sevens title in Colarado, USA.
The opening tournament of the 2018-2019 season kicked off the Black Ferns' campaign to qualify for the Olympics in 2020.
Blyde is the incumbent award recipient having won it in 2017 and Woodman last earned the accolade in 2015.
Black Ferns Sevens Coach Allan Bunting said all three are exceptional players.
"It's fantastic that they are being recognised but I have no idea how you can separate them to find a winner; all three have different strengths and bring something unique to our team."
Black Ferns Sevens captain Sarah Goss Photo: © Copyright Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz Photosport Ltd 2018
New Zealand Rugby Chief Rugby Officer Nigel Cass said congratulated them on the nominations, adding that this spoke volumes about New Zealand's place on the sevens international stage.
"We've seen our Black Ferns Sevens win Commonwealth Games gold and a Rugby World Cup this year so it is great to see them rewarded and recognised with these nominations.
"Congratulations to Michaela, Portia and Sarah on their nominations for what has been a stunning 2018 for them and the Black Ferns Sevens. Their clinical performance in the Final of the USA tournament demonstrated exactly why they have been nominated and we congratulate them on a fantastic start to the new season."
The World Rugby Awards will be held at the Salle des Etoiles in Monte Carlo on 25 November.
New Zealand's Michaela Blyde cutting through the USA defense Photo: Mike Lee - KLC fotos for World Rugby
Nominees are selected by players, match officials and commentators on the men's and women's HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series and Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018.
The Men's Player of the Year nominees are Perry Baker (USA), Ben O'Donnell (Australia) and Jerry Tuwai (Fiji).
These awards are two of 13 categories of awards, including the World Rugby Men's and Women's Players of the Year, World Rugby Team of the Year, World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year and Award for Character.
