It is time to reflect on an eventful rugby year. Twelve months ago we thought ELVs were Santa's little helpers and Martin Johnson was still on the corporate-hospitality circuit, which just goes to show how swiftly things can change. Thank you all for your comments and constructive suggestions since January … here is a list of personal awards to enliven the Christmas period:

International team of the year: New Zealand. No one who saw their opening Test of 2008 against Ireland in a wet and wintry Wellington would have put their mortgage on the All Blacks winning the Tri-Nations and completing a grand-slam tour of Europe. Given the raft of players who disappeared offshore, it was a fine achievement.

Best player: Shane Williams (Wales). Harsh on Richie McCaw and Dan Carter but Williams deserves recognition for proving conclusively that height and weight are not the sole measure of a rugby player's worth.

Best coach: Robbie Deans (Australia). Warren Gatland, Graham Henry and London Irish's Toby Booth were all in the frame but the post-World Cup improvement of the Wallabies has been a credit to Dean's tactical acumen.

Best young player: Luke Fitzgerald (Ireland). Even in a losing Leinster side at Castres on Friday night he showed class, skill, composure and fortitude. I'd ink him into my British and Irish Lions squad now.

Best match atmosphere: Guinness Premiership final, Wasps v Leicester, Twickenham. A world-record crowd for a club match and a significant milestone in the history of the professional game in Britain.

Best offload: Matt Giteau, Australia v New Zealand, Hong Kong, November. You know the one.

Best tackle: Bakkies Botha on Delon Armitage, England v South Africa, Twickenham. It is not often you see a lock forward sprint 50 metres to put in a corner-flag hit on a fast-moving back.

Quote of the year: "My England man put rampant rabbits to shame" — Angel Barbie gives the lowdown on England's ill-fated "Pony Club" visit in Auckland.

The Oliver Postgate memorial award for biggest clanger: The manner of Brian Ashton's removal as England head coach did the Rugby Football Union absolutely no credit.

Strangest move: Premier Rugby's decision to split coverage of the end-of-season English play-offs between two competing satellite broadcasters. It is a particularly raw deal for diehard fans who must subscribe to both Sky and Setanta simultaneously if they wish to follow the business end of the season. The idea smacks of greed and short-sighted thinking.

Unsung hero: Step forward Al Baxter, the much-maligned Wallaby prop. He deserved his sweet moment of revenge against England at Twickenham.

Unsung heroine: Eileen Dallaglio. Lawrence's mum will be much missed by all those who knew her.

Ugliest aspect of modern rugby: Tediously protracted bouts of aerial ping-pong between two mediocre kickers.

Best overseas signing: Still early days but Quins' purchase of Nick Evans looks a better bet than, say, Newcastle's investment in Carl Hayman.

Forgotten man: Phil Christophers (Castres). Feels a long time ago since he played for England, doesn't it?

Best referee: Nigel Owens (Wales). By his own admission it can be tough being a referee, let alone an openly gay one. Deserves respect for his honesty and, more often than not, his officiating as well.

Media man of the year: Alastair Hignell, who hung up his microphone in May. An inspiration to his many friends and still toasted — often repeatedly — around the hotel bars of the world.

Best Christmas wishes to: Anyone recovering from serious long-term injury, not least the Newport Gwent Dragons' centre Marc Stcherbina, or seeking a new job. Here's to a happier, less stressful 2009 for all of you.