World Rugby names SVNS Award nominees ahead of Bordeaux World Championship finale

World Rugby has announced the nominees for the HSBC SVNS Awards 2026, with winners to be revealed following the season-ending World Championship event at Stade Atlantique in Bordeaux, June 5-7.

Three players have been shortlisted in each of the four major individual categories. The Women’s SVNS Player of the Year nominees are Maddison Levi (Australia), Jorja Miller (New Zealand) and Ariana Rasmey (USA). Miller, 22, is the reigning Sevens Player of the Year and has remained a standout performer as the Black Ferns Sevens claimed the regular season title and the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens, though they sit second in the World Championship standings after Valladolid. Rasmey was a consistent presence for the USA, who finished third in the regular season and reached the knockout stages in Valladolid. Levi scored seven tries in three matches at that event before suffering an injury in the quarter-finals; Australia went on to win the title without her, defeating both New Zealand and the USA.

In the Men’s SVNS Player of the Year category, Australia’s Henry Hutchison — a three-time Olympian — is joined by South Africa’s Tristan Leyds and Fiji’s Vuiviwa Naduvalo.

The Women’s SVNS Rookie of the Year shortlist features France’s Anaick Konyi, Canada’s Kennedi Stevenson and the USA’s Tahna Wilfley. On the men’s side, New Zealand’s Kele Lasaqa, Australia’s Harry Wilson and Great Britain’s Finley Lloyd-Gilmour are nominated. Lloyd-Gilmour drew attention earlier in the season with a hat-trick against the All Blacks Sevens in a 26-19 upset victory for Great Britain at HBF Park in Perth.

“The HSBC SVNS Awards recognise the exceptional talent, commitment and performances that have defined another outstanding year of rugby sevens around the world,” said World Rugby CEO Alan Gilpin. “From season-long standout performers to exciting new players making their mark on the international stage, these nominees represent the very best of our sport.”

The Women’s and Men’s SVNS Top Try Scorer awards, in partnership with Gilbert, along with the Women’s and Men’s SVNS Dream Teams, will also be announced after the Bordeaux finale.