Shortlist announced for IRB Player of Year

[barbarian]

Yeah think FP summed it up pretty perfectly. I am a bit surprised at the decision though, only because the IRB has awarded the player of the year to someone who you could actually consider to be player of the year. McCaw is an almost complete player, and as the captain and best player of the best side in the world he deserves everything that comes to him.

Except the World Cup.

 

[farva]

I think its interesting that the general consensus is that McCaw is a good ball carrier and all round player.

If you watch Pocock, he provides a hell of a lot of go forward with ball in hand. That is something the Wallabies are missing.

When Pocock gets the ball, it normally takes 2 or 3 players to drag him down, and he usually gets over the advantage line.

Pocock. ball in hand, is a vital part of the Wallabies team, just like McCaw is with his running game now.

 

[barbarian]

I agree farva, his contribution agaist France specifically was exceptional. But he still has a way to go to rival McCaw with ball in hand. For example I don't think Pocock would have scored the try McCaw did to beat the Boks at home. Richie's support play is also exceptional, has an almost pyschic ability to pop up in the right place at the right time.

 

[ChargerWA]

Oh well, the sunny side of this story is it helps take the spotlight off Bam Bam. With everyone focusing on our backline at the moment, he will hopefully be getting less attention from the opposition (not that it seems to make that much of a difference anyway).

 

[Ham]

'twas rigged.

 

[rugbysmartarse]

Does anyone know if the ORB will release the votes? Not that I think it was rigged, but it would be interesting to see who came 2nd, 3rd etc, and by how much McCheater won

 

[brokendown]

there goes the old adage"cheats never prosper"!

 

[fatprop]

They have done OK really, no duds there

2001 Keith Wood (Republic of Ireland Ireland)
2002 Fabien Galthié ( France)
2003 Jonny Wilkinson ( England)
2004 Schalk Burger ( South Africa)
2005 Daniel Carter ( New Zealand)
2006 Richie McCaw ( New Zealand)
2007 Bryan Habana ( South Africa)
2008 Shane Williams ( Wales)
2009 Richie McCaw ( New Zealand)
2010 Richie McCaw ( New Zealand)

 

[barbarian]

There are certainly no duds, but in each year there have been a few more worthy recipients. FdP last year for example. 2008 and 2007 went to wingers who merely profited from the work done infield. They are all good players, but only a few are worthy recipients of the best player in the game.

 

[MrMouse]

There are certainly no duds, but in each year there have been a few more worthy recipients. FdP last year for example. 2008 and 2007 went to wingers who merely profited from the work done infield. They are all good players, but only a few are worthy recipients of the best player in the game.

Think of it like the oscars - all have been the best actor(player) in the world at some stage, but that's not necessarily the year they get the oscar(IRB player of the year award).

I suspect Sir Richie will take it in his stride, with a pinch of salt, and immediately turn his mind back to choking horrifically in the world cup.

 

[dwats002]

would just like to know from you guyz. Do you genuinely believe Richie is a cheat or is it all somehow for show? cos I actually dont know

 

[rugbysmartarse]

would just like to know from you guyz. Do you genuinely believe Richie is a cheat or is it all somehow for show? cos I actually dont know

Personal opinion (I know there are more knowledgeable rugby minds here who will no doubt shout me down) is he does cheat, but only slightly more than any other good back row. Annoyingly though, where other players would be binned for repeat offenses, Richie never is.

Plus it pisses off the kiwis no end.

 

[barbarian]

would just like to know from you guyz. Do you genuinely believe Richie is a cheat or is it all somehow for show? cos I actually dont know

The whole cheat thing is all for show, as we know it gets under the skin of our Kiwi brothers. However he is certainly on the edge of the law at all times, so there is a tiny bit of truth to it.

 

[MajorlyRagerly]

Cheat is very negative word to use, hence those useless bloody thin skinned kiwi's getting up in arms....

My opinion - he pushes the laws/boundaries and plays to the referee - just like any good back rower worth his salt. Maybe refs do let him get away with more - I'm not sure i'm qualifed to really know this, given that he's the captain of the team I've supported since I could watch TV & therefore am incredibly biased.

No doubt though, the selection committee for world player of the year is like a whose who of rugby greats (and only one kiwi, I might add), so if it's good enough for them, then it's good enough for me.

Now, bring on 2011, I can feel my windpipe contracting already.

 

[DPK]

No doubt though, the selection committee for world player of the year is like a whose [sic] who of rugby greats (and only one kiwi, I might add), so if it's good enough for them, then it's good enough for me.

Sure does:

"The IRB Player of the Year Award is selected by the IRB Awards independent panel of judges, comprising former internationals with over 500 Test caps between them. Will Greenwood, Gavin Hastings, Raphaël Ibanez, Francois Pienaar, Agustín Pichot, Scott Quinnell, Tana Umaga, Paul Wallace and convenor John Eales watched over 78 hours of action from 59 matches, awarding points to the three players they thought stood out in each match."

 

[Bullrush]

would just like to know from you guyz. Do you genuinely believe Richie is a cheat or is it all somehow for show? cos I actually dont know

A bit of advice I once got when playing at 7.....

If you're not cheating, you're not trying.

 

[dwats002]

A bit of advice I once got when playing at 7.....

If you're not cheating, you're not trying.

haha nice

 

[MrMouse]

would just like to know from you guyz. Do you genuinely believe Richie is a cheat or is it all somehow for show? cos I actually dont know

He treads the line very carefully and reads the referee. A lot of what he does might legally be considered "cheating" but one of his great skills is an innate understanding of what areas the ref is policing and playing to the whistle.

I do think there is some tendency from referees to be more lenient towards him for multiple indiscretions, but come on, he is a hugely charismatic figure and the captain of the premiere rugby team in the world - is it all that surprising? Furthermore, he can't actually control their behaviour (unless he's got some serious telepathic powers).

So it's not just for show - there's a lot of frustration at perceived inequalities - but mostly it's needling the kiwis.

 

[MrMouse]

A bit of advice I once got when playing at 7.....

If you're not cheating, you're not trying.

I think one of my exes must have played at 7 for the slutty whores...

 

[Reddy!]

Just heard the news - can't believe McCaw won it. Especially seeing as Pocock out played him a couple of times this season and then went on to dominant every other team this year. G&GR bloggers out there, I would love for somebody to do a season stats comparison, POCOCK VS McCAW.

McCaw winning these awards now, when his form has declined slightly, just adds to the myth.