Rugby World Cup finalists Etzebeth and Savea also in contest for player of the year

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South Africa’s Eben Etzebeth celebrates at the end of the Rugby World Cup semifinal match between England and South Africa at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, near Paris, Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)

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Argentina’s Joel Sclavi, top right, challenges for the ball with New Zealand’s Jordie Barrett, bottom, and New Zealand’s Ardie Savea during the Rugby World Cup semifinal match between Argentina and New Zealand at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, outside Paris, Friday, Oct. 20, 2023. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)

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France’s Louis Bielle Biarrey catches the ball during the Rugby World Cup quarterfinal match between France and South Africa at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, near Paris, Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)

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France’s Antoine Dupont reacts after the end of the Rugby World Cup quarterfinal match between France and South Africa at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, near Paris Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023. South Africa won the match 29-28. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

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Ireland’s Bundee Aki powers through to score a try during the Rugby World Cup quarterfinal match between Ireland and New Zealand at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, near Paris Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

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New Zealand’s head coach Ian Foster smiles prior the start of the Rugby World Cup semifinal match between Argentina and New Zealand at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, outside Paris, Friday, 20, 2023. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin)

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Ireland’s head coach Andy Farrell concentrates prior the start of the Rugby World Cup Pool B match between Ireland and Scotland at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis outside of Paris, Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)

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South Africa’s head coach Jacques Nienaber smiles as he watches his players warm up ahead of the Rugby World Cup quarterfinal match between France and South Africa at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, near Paris Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

By JEROME PUGMIRE

PARIS (AP) — Rugby World Cup finalists Eben Etzebeth of South Africa and Ardie Savea of New Zealand are among the four nominees to win the men’s world player of the year award.

The imposing lock Etzebeth and the livewire No.8 Savea will face off in Saturday’s final at Stade de France, where victory could go some way to deciding who wins the award in Paris on Sunday.

Etzebeth made up for being sin-binned with a late try in the 29-28 quarterfinal win against France.

France scrumhalf Antoine Dupont, the winner in 2021 and shortlisted last year, and Ireland center Bundee Aki are the other two in contention for the men’s award. Dupont recovered from a broken cheekbone to lead the French against the Springboks and Aki was inspirational for the Irish.

Ireland’s Andy Farrell is vying for coach of the year with New Zealand’s Ian Foster, South Africa’s Jacques Nienaber, and Fiji’s Simon Raiwalui.

Speedy France winger Louis Bielle-Biarrey, who made his international debut in August and scored four tries at the World Cup, is nominated for breakthrough player of the year, along with New Zealand left winger Mark Tele’a and prop Tamaiti Williams, and South Africa flyhalf Manie Libbok.

Nominees in the four women’s categories will be announced after the conclusion of the ongoing WXV tournament early next month.

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AP Rugby World Cup: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby