The All Blacks have beaten five other nominees to be named the Laureus World Team of the Year while Dan Carter has scooped comeback of the year in Berlin this morning.
It was the first time the All Blacks have won the award after six previous nominations.
Other nominees this year included the Golden State Warriors from the NBA and Spanish football powerhouse FC Barcelona.
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen and former Captain Richie McCaw were on hand to receive the award in Berlin.
The award recognized the All Blacks as the first team to ever win back‑to‑back Rugby World Cup titles after triumphing in New Zealand in 2011 and England in 2015.
All‑time leading Test rugby point scorer Dan Carter was recognized with the Comeback of the Year award for returning from injury to produce a match‑winning performance in the 2015 Rugby World Cup final.
While humbled by being recognised individually, Carter said he was proud to be a part of the first All Blacks team to win the World Team of the Year award.
Winners in the categories were:
Breakthrough of the Year: Jordan Spieth (USA), golf.
Comeback of the Year: Dan Carter (New Zealand), rugby.
Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability: Daniel Dias (Brazil), swimming.
Action Sportsperson of the Year: Jan Frodeno (Germany), ironman.
Sportswoman of the Year: Serena Williams (USA), tennis.
Sportsman of the Year: Novak Djokovic (Serbia), tennis.
Team of the Year: All Blacks (New Zealand), rugby.
Spirit of Sport: Johan Cruyff (Netherlands), football.
Source: allblacks.com and stuff.co
