Sergio Parisse to become Italy’s first-ever World Rugby Hall of Famer as five new inductees revealed
World Rugby have announced the five legends who will be inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame at the 2024 Awards evening in Monaco on 24 November.?
Legends spread across the sevens and 15s game will be honoured at the World Rugby Awards evening.
Five new inductees in the World Rugby Hall of Fame
The contributions of Emilee Cherry (Australia), DJ Forbes (New Zealand), Donna Kennedy (Scotland), Chris Laidlaw (New Zealand) and Sergio Parisse (Italy) will be celebrated at the gala event.
The news comes after World Rugby revealed the nominees for eight award categories on Monday, including the men’s, women’s and 7s Player of the Year and Breakthrough Player of the Year.
“This Sunday, we will be welcoming five legends from four nationalities into the World Rugby Hall of Fame. These inductees, representing both sevens and 15s, have graced our sport with their remarkable talent, enduring dedication, and performances at the highest level. On behalf of World Rugby, I extend heartfelt congratulations and gratitude to them for their incredible achievements and the inspiring legacy they have left, which continues to resonate throughout the game,” World Rugby chair Brett Robinson said.
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The five inductees bring the total in the Hall of Fame to 171 since it began in 2006.
Two former stars of the sevens game will take their place in the Hall of Fame in an Olympic year in the form of ex-New Zealand captain Forbes and Australia’s Rio 2016 Olympic gold medallist Cherry.
Arguably Italy’s greatest-ever player joins them in Parisse who played 142 Test matches for the the Azzurri. Fellow Test centurion Kennedy – Scotland’s most-capped player male or female with 115 Tests – joins the Italian great as does All Blacks legend Laidlaw, one of finest players to wear the black number nine jersey.
Parisse becomes Italy’s first-ever inductee after a glorious career spanning between 2005 and 2019.
World Rugby Hall of Fame inductee and chairman of the Hall of Fame panel John Eales said: “Again, this year’s World Rugby Hall of Fame inductees showcase rugby’s values, diversity, and evolution.
“The class features two rugby sevens stars, marking another Olympiad, and three legends from different eras. Notably, congratulations to Italy’s first-ever inductee, Sergio Parisse. Sergio’s selection celebrates a brilliant career and highlights Italy’s growing achievements amid rugby’s expansion worldwide.”
World Rugby Hall of Fame 2024 inductees
No.167 – Emilee Cherry (Australia)
No.168 – DJ Forbes (New Zealand)
No.169 – Sergio Parisse (Italy)
No.170 – Donna Kennedy (Scotland)
No.171 – Chris Laidlaw (New Zealand)