Women's MVP: Cynthia Gehrke. Who are we to argue with the IRB? Nominated as one of the four best players in the world, this tough, speedy hooker has all the skills.

Men's Forward of the Year (no one gets two awards): Dave Hodges. Dan Lyle missed some time with the USA team due to injury, so we're going to bump him down. Kort Schubert is an up-and-comer, but Hodges is the guy. A powerful presence on defense, and a jumper, runner, and leader, Dave Hodges remains an outstanding USA team member.

Men's Back of the Year: Kurt Shuman. This was a tough one, as several backs had standout games, but no one really put together as solid a season as Shuman. If Kevin Dalzell plays like he did against South Africa next season, he's your guy. Juan Grobler, Phil EloffPoised on defense and deceptively quick on attack, Shuman also led his New York Athletic Club to the Division I final.

Women's Forward of the Year: Nancy Fitz. Like Hodges, a tough, selfless player who leads by example and works extremely hard.

Women's Back of the Year: Ines Rodriguez. A smooth runner and nifty passer, Rodriquez gets the nod in the end because of her boot. Her kicking, from the hand and from the ground, have been critical to the USA's success.

Men's Breakout Performer: Jone Naqica Koroi. Early in 2000 almost no one had heard of this Fijian-born back. But after a solid Super League season for Denver, Naqica burst onto the national scene with a try for USA A against England A, two tries in the USA v. England test, and five MVP performances in domestic 7s tournaments.

Women's Breakout Performer: Quite a few players were blooded this season and did well, but our top choice goes to tough and feisty flanker Becky Metzger. Against Canada she overstepped her bounds in getting sin-binned for use of the boot, but somebody had to get their dander up ... and she scored a huge try.

Men's 7s Player: Jason Raven. The danger man for the USA this past season was of course Jovesa Naivalu, who scored several key tries. But the outstanding USA performances of the past season were due in large part to the imagination and leadership of Raven, who directed the attack, led on defense, and kept these crazy kids on course.

Men's U-19 Player of the Year: Richard White, a child of American parents growing up in England, has become an excellent flanker not only for the Junior Eagles, but for the Denver Barbarians first XV as well. A fearless competitor, and USA team leader, White will be back for his second Junior World Championships

Game of the Year: While we were thrilled at how the USA stood up to South Africa, and the one win of the season, against Uruguay, had its own attraction, the best candidates come from the world of 7s. Is it the Eagles' last-minute defeat of Fiji in Wellington, or the last-minute defeat of England? Or how about the sudden-death, comeback victory over Wales in Hong Kong. We go with the win over Fiji. It put the Eagles on the map, and made them crowd darlings as well.

Try of the Year: When the Eagles scored tries they scored pretty ones (all the tries against England and Uruguay), or they scored dramatic ones (South Africa). We'll take Jason Raven's darting run to tie Fiji, and his conversion to beat them.