Shortlist announced for IRB Player of Year

[MajorlyRagerly]

I can see Mils winning it. They don't want to cause controversy by giving it to McCaw and opening up the "cheat" tag, but they don't want to upset NZ'ers by saying Pocock is better than McCaw.

Mils will easily win it.

Who cares if it causes controversy? Seen the last of the last few winners!!

To dissect...
Matfield - nah, no way. There is no way in hell there isn't a NH player out there who doesn't deserve it over him.
Harinoridquay - Not seen him play, but read media and it sounds like he's been majestic. But he isn't in the current French squad...
Mils - It's a long service nomination this one & fair enough too. But I dont' think it should go any further than nomination, I think this is Kieran Read's spot.
Beale - testimony to the worry the world has over the 2011-2015 Wallabies that they get 2 nominations this year after historically been overlooked. He's been great this year, but he's not the best player in the world.
Pocock - He's out McCaw'd the old McCaw this year. Should be between him and....
McCaw - No longer the best old McCaw out there. But easily the best new McCaw. Changed his game to account for laws, refs, aging the works & the AB's are half the team without him.

So what do I think/want?

I'd have no problems if it was either Pocock or McCaw. I think it will go to Pocock as the award went to McCaw last year (quite unjustly in my opinion too), but I myself would give it to Richie beause I think he's the all round best player in the game. Why do I think he's better than Pocock?

Bledisloe 3 2010. If McCaw and Pocock had swapped teams, who do I think would have won? McCaws play that day was the difference between winning by 1 and losing by 15.

 

[I like to watch]

Mils?
I thought he has played his way OUT of the AB's side this tour.As the major says he has had a distinguished career but best player in the world this year? not a fucking chance.

 

[qwerty51]

It's really only between Pocock and McCaw.

I reckon it'll come to the each performance this week.

 

[Scarfman]

Just for the record, especially in regard to my long-held opinion that referees are soft on McCaw, I've voted for McCaw. It was a fucking travesty that he won it last year, but I think he shades the other guys this year. Wouldn't mind if he didn't get it, though.

 

[JJJ]

Surely Beale only deserves his nomination on the basis of his play in the last 4-6 months? Given that this is the IRB Player of the Year I doubt he'll come close. McCaw this year and he deserves it, though it's a shame 2010's achievements will be tarnished for him in the eyes of the world by the fact that he really didn't deserve it last year.

Pocock close, Hairydonkey the dark NH horse.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

IRB is sponsored by the ball manufacturer, Gilbert.

Who has done more this year to promote the IRB sponsor?

Beale's nomination is for purely commercial reasons!

 

[cyclopath]

McCaw - much as I would love to see Pocock get it, McCaw is ahead of the field. Whether refs are, or are not "softer" on him (I tend to think not), no-one can deny he delivers very good performances almost all the time, and when he is at his best, nobody is as good for mine. It is the fault of referees / law-makers, if anyone, if people think he ought to get pinged more.
Matfield - great player, but really, is he a stand-out this year?
Beale - not enough over the whole year. We might all be saying differently next year.
The Burro - can't comment as I have not seen enough of him.
Mils - probably 3rd in the pecking order.
I agree Read maybe deserved a spot too.

 

[disco]

I think Pocock will win, Hairy Donkey would have probably won if he was still starting for the French but it would make a real mockery of the IRB if he wins worlds best player but can't make the national squad.

McCaw should not have got it last year but he should have won the year Shane Williams did.

 

[dwats002]

Mils?
I thought he has played his way OUT of the AB's side this tour.As the major says he has had a distinguished career but best player in the world this year? not a fucking chance.

mate he's the best fullback in the world and has further proved that on this tour. He always makes incisive runs, organises the back three and is good in he air. Have you even see him play this year!!

 

[Lindommer]

GoldenBull over on The Roar reckons Richie's a cheat. Gee, who woulda thunk that? Check here: http://www.theroar.com.au/2010/11/27/mccaw-greatest-player-ever/#more-37709

 

[Sandpit Fan]

For what's generally been very dull commentary from the NH broadcasters, there was a gem in the NZ vs Ireland game, where McCaw found himself, as he often does, a long way offside at a ruck. The commentator was onto it like a seagull onto a chip "McCaw's so far offside he's in another country".

From what I can remember through the beer haze, no penalty was forthcoming....

 

[Gagger]

As much as I'd like this to drift into another McCaw is a cheat thread....

How are these decided? Isn't it a panel with a VIP ex player from each country who watch all the games and do a 3-2-1 thing?

So, the winner in the end is the player who stands out the most from the rest of his team-mates. NOT who is outstanding vs other teams and players from that team...I think

If so, I would think Pocock could romp it in

 

[ChargerWA]

Pocock should romp it, If it was IRB's "most inspiring leader" award Sir would be the shoo in, but Bam outplayed him this year easily.

 

[#1 Tah]

Pocock by infinity.

 

[QuadeCooperFan]

My pick would be Pocock.

Maybe Richie, but he's a bit of a dirty bastard.

 

[Tordah]

but Bam outplayed him this year easily.

Pretty bold statement, that. Turnovers yes. Any other facette - not so much.

 

[dobduff11]

Turnovers yes , tackling yes, Carrying about even, Scrummaging McCaw, Lineouts about even as neither are regular jumpers.

How many other facets are there other than maybe captaincy

 

[Reddy!]

I gotta say, it's disappointing that Nathan Sharpe was not nominated.

Anyway, Pocock has to win this - it would be great. Who was the last Aussie to win this award? I know that we have been even scraping to have players nominated in recent years.

 

[JJJ]

Anyone know how I'd go about finding out how many tries McCaw and Pocock have each made in tests this year?

 

[Tordah]

Turnovers yes , tackling yes, Carrying about even, Scrummaging McCaw, Lineouts about even as neither are regular jumpers.

How many other facets are there other than maybe captaincy

JJJ: McCaw scored three times this year (2 against you guys in Melbourne and Sydney, one against South Africa in Soweto). Pocock scored once against Wales.

I highly doubt Pocock's linking play is up to McCaw's standard yet. Pocock is a terrific defender and incredible at turning the ball over at the tackle, but everytime an All Black breaks the line, who is the first supporter? It's almost always McCaw. I don't think Pocock has shown his offensive skills as much as McCaw has. I wouldn't lose any sleep over Pocock winning it, because he certainly is one of the worthy contestants in the list, but saying he completely outplayed McCaw easily is another thing. No doubt Pocock is going to be your McCaw version for years to come, and maybe then the whinging about cheating will turn the other way around...