DAN CARTER LED a New Zealand clean sweep of the 2012 International Rugby Board (IRB) awards announced here on Monday.
The fly-half was named player of the year, with Steve Hansen winning coach of the year and the All Blacks the team of the year following a 20-match unbeaten run by the world champions that only came to an end with a shock 38-21 defeat by England at Twickenham on Saturday.
It is the second time Carter has won the IRB honour, following his success in 2005.
The other nominees for 2012 player of the year were All Blacks captain Richie McCaw, a three-time winner, England outside-half Owen Farrell — who scored 17 points against New Zealand on Saturday — and France fly-half Frederic Michalak.
