Highlanders fullback Ben Smith missed out on the big prize in the inaugural International Rugby Players' Association awards but has still been picked in the World XV.
Smith was nominated for the players' player of the year award along with fellow All Black Kieran Read and Welsh fullback Leigh Halfpenny.
The prize, voted for by the players, went to Read, the big Crusaders and All Black No 8 who has picked up a treble of awards over the past few days. Read also won the IRB player of the year award and the New Zealand rugby player of the award this week.
Smith and Read were both picked for the World XV, which was also selected by players. It comprises seven New Zealanders, four Welshmen, two South Africans and one player each from France and England.
Smith may have missed out to Read in the big awards over the past few days but he was named Super 15 player of the year at the New Zealand awards on Thursday night in Auckland.
Highlanders halfback Aaron Smith was named the starting halfback in the World XV.
The other All Blacks named in the team were Sam Whitelock, Liam Messam, Aaron Cruden and Conrad Smith. English clubs are set for at least one season without any European rugby after they confirmed their refusal to take part in a revamped Heineken Cup next season, despite last week's decision by their French counterparts to return to the fold, Reuters reports.
The chairmen of the 12 Premiership clubs met yesterday.
''The English clubs have unanimously re-confirmed their position. Having served notice in June 2012, they will not participate in any competitions run by ERC [European Rugby Cup] from 2014-15 season,'' a statement said.
Players association: World XV
Leigh Halfpenny (Wales), Ben Smith (NZ), Conrad Smith (NZ), Wesley Fofana (France), George North (Wales), Aaron Cruden (NZ), Aaron Smith (NZ), Kieran Read (NZ), Sam Warburton (Wales), Liam Messam (NZ), Sam Whitelock (NZ), Eben Etzebeth (South Africa), Adam Jones (Wales), Bismarck du Plessis (South Africa), Alex Corbisiero (England).