British and Irish Lions

Carter, who helped mastermind a 3-0 series win over the British & Irish Lions this summer, took the International Rugby Players Association award ahead of All Blacks team-mate Richie McCaw.

New Zealand won the IRPA Team of the Year prize and South African winger Bryan Habana took the IRPA Newcomer of the Year award.

Australian scrum-half George Gregan has been honoured with an IRPA Special Merit Award after breaking the world record for international appearances.

Gregan is poised to win his 118th cap and captain Australia for the 50th time against Wales on Saturday.

Qantas Wallabies head coach Robbie Deans says Quade Cooper could still line up against the Lions despite missing out on his 25-man squad this morning.

The Waratahs upset the odds by beating Super Rugby leaders the Brumbies 28-22, but the game came at a huge cost to Qantas Wallabies coach Robbie Deans.

Lions skipper Sam Warburton says the lessons he and his Welsh colleagues learnt in Australia last summer will stand them in good stead for their return visit with Britain and Ireland's elite next month.