England second row Maro Itoje has been voted breakthrough player of the year at the World Rugby awards - which were otherwise dominated by New Zealand.
Kiwi fly-half Beauden Barrett was named player of the year - the All Blacks have hardly missed the retired Dan Carter because of his superb performances in 2016. He beat England's Owen Farrell, Billy Vunipola and Itoje and Ireland's Jamie Heaslip to the award.
Barrett becomes the fifth successive Kiwi to receive the award, following in the footsteps of Carter (2012 and 2015), Kieran Read (2013) and Brodie Retallick (2014).
New Zealand's Steve Hansen won the coach of the year award for the fourth time in five years as his team set a new world record of 18 straight international victories.
And the All Blacks were named team of the year after their staggering run of victories, which was finally brought to an end by Ireland in Chicago earlier this month.
England's Sarah Hunter won the women's player of the year award. Hunter, capped 83 times and a World Cup winner in 2014, has played in every Test for her country this year.
Itoje beat two Kiwis - Anton Lienert-Brown and Ardie Savea - to the breakthrough award.
The 22-year-old was rewarded for an outstanding debut year in which he has won seven caps, including a Grand Slam and 3-0 whitewash of Australia.
"I'm very humbled, very honoured and very happy to win. I'd like to thank the England team and my club Saracens for all the support I've had," Itoje said.
"I hope there's more to come, I'd be disappointed if I've peaked already. The last 12 months have gone really well, so I can't complain."
Itoje was ruled out of England's autumn campaign with a hand injury and is not expected back until December.
He added: "I'm on the road to recovery. I'm not quite there yet, but hopefully it will happen sooner rather than later."
England boss Eddie Jones, beaten to the coach award by Hansen, said: "He's a brilliant young player and this award is a testament to his ability and now it's about how hard he works to convert that to be a truly world class player in the future. I'm sure he has that attitude to do it.
"The staff and whole team are so pleased for him to win the award and we are really proud of him. No doubt he can become the best if he works hard enough. He is dedicated, he chases to be great and he chases to be world class.
"There have been a lot of England players who have risen to a height and then not continued.
"Joe Launchbury and Courtney Lawes were hailed as the new thing and for whatever reason they haven't achieved those heights. We want to make sure Maro achieves those heights consistently and I am sure he will."
Full list of winners:
Men's Player of the Year - Beauden Barrett (NZ)
Women's Player of the Year - Sarah Hunter (Eng)
Team of the Year - New Zealand
Coach of the Year - Steve Hansen (NZ)
Breakthrough Player of the Year - Maro Itoje (Eng)
Men's Sevens Player of the Year - Seabelo Senatla (SA)
Women's Sevens Player of the Year - Charlotte Caslick (Aus)
Referee Award - Alhambra Nievas (ESP) and Rasta Rasivhenge (SA)
Vernon Pugh Award for Distinguished Service - Syd Millar
Award for Character - Rugby Opens Borders, Austrian Rugby Union
IRPA Special Merit Award - Jean de Villiers (SA)
IRPA Try of the Year - Jamie Heaslip (Ire) against Italy in the Six Nations
Olympic recognition - Fiji and Australia