Carter named World Rugby Player of the Year

All Blacks fly-half Dan Carter has been named the World Rugby Player of the Year, capping an incredible weekend for the rugby great.

The 33-year-old played his final game for New Zealand at Twickenham on Saturday and went out in style, winning the man-of-the-match award as they beat Australia 34-17 in the World Cup final.

Carter has now won the award three times, having previously triumphed in 2005 and 2012, and it was the fourth time in a row a New Zealand player had claimed the award.

Carter, who kicked 19 points, including a sublime drop-goal in the World Cup final, joins All Blacks captain Richie McCaw as a three-time winner.

He received the award ahead of five other nominees: All Blacks team-mate Julian Savea, Australia flanker Michael Hooper and No 8 David Pocock, Wales lock Alun Wyn Jones, and Scotland scrum half Greig Laidlaw.

Carter told Sky Sports ahead of the ceremony: "That time in the dressing room, after the game [on Saturday], was probably one of the most special times in my career.

"We worked hard for four years for this moment, so to be able to finally enjoy it, with some of your best mates, just means so much."

The All Blacks were unsurprisingly named team of the year, having become the first team ever to successfully defend their World Cup title.

And New Zealand winger Nehe Milner-Skudder, who had an outstanding World Cup, was named breakthrough player of the year.

Despite overseeing the World Cup win, All Blacks coach Steve Hansen missed out on a fourth successive coach of the year award.

That went to Australia's Michael Cheika after his impressive turnaround of the Wallabies over the last 12 months.