Shortlist announced for IRB Player of Year

[RugbyReg]

The International Rugby Board has announced the shortlist of nominees for the IRB Player of the Year 2010 Award in association with Emirates Airline.

The winner of the prestigious individual accolade will be announced on Wednesday, December 1, along with the IRB Coach of the Year and IRB Team of the Year.

Six nominees have been selected for their outstanding performances throughout a compelling year of international fixtures.

The shortlist combines a blend of vastly experienced players with rising young stars who have graduated from the IRB Junior World Championship to the international stage in the last couple of years.

New Zealand captain and 2009 Player of the Year Richie McCaw heads a shortlist also featuring his teammate Mils Muliaina, South Africa's Rugby World Cup winner Victor Matfield, France stalwart Imanol Harinordoquy and young Australian stars David Pocock and Kurtley Beale.

"The IRB Player of the Year Award is the greatest individual honour presented annually in our Game. The six players nominated have all enjoyed an exceptional year of international Rugby and have been judged on their performances in the RBS Six Nations, Tri Nations, June and November Tests," said IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset.

"It is an impressive shortlist. Richie McCaw has already made history as the first player to win the Award twice, while Imanol Harinordoquy, Victor Matfield and Mils Muliaina have consistently performed to highest standards over the years."

"It is also pleasing to see some of the brightest stars of the world Game in Kurtley Beale and David Pocock also nominated for their achievements during what has been a fascinating year, setting the scene for what promises to be a memorable Rugby World Cup 2011."

The nominees were selected by the IRB Awards independent panel of judges, chaired by Rugby World Cup winning captain John Eales, following a year-long review of all Test matches and thorough consultation and deliberation.

The panel comprises some of the biggest names in the Game with Will Greenwood, Gavin Hastings, Raphaël Ibanez, Francois Pienaar, Agustín Pichot, Scott Quinnell, Tana Umaga, Paul Wallace and Eales winning over 500 caps and boasting four Rugby World Cup winners medals between them.

"The panel watch every major international match throughout the year, providing comprehensive analysis on individual players and casting their vote based on performance and number of appearances," said Eales.

"The shortlist represents a great group of people who have come through the diligent voting process."

The IRB Player of the Year Award will be the seventh of the IRB Awards in association with Emirates Airline to be presented in 2010. In May, Samoa's Mikaele Pesamino was named IRB Sevens Player of the Year, while New Zealand's Julian Savea received the IRB Junior Player of the Year accolade in June and Women’s Rugby World Cup winner Carla Hohepa of New Zealand the IRB Women’s Personality of the Year Award in September. Brian O'Shea received the IRB Development Award in October and Colin High was presented with the IRB Referee Award for Distinguished Service earlier this

 

[Slim 293]

Personally, I think it's a 3 way race between McCaw, Pocock and Beale... with the two flankers favoured due to Beale having a lot less test time...

Harinordoquy was immense during the 6 Nations but hasn't had much time with France of late... and the other two are just making up the numbers...

 

[en_force_er]

Mils Muliaina has to get it. He is a consistently dominant player in a consistently dominant side.

 

[Langthorne]

It has to be out of Hairy Donkey, Pocock and Beale. I'm not sure of the judging criteria, but for all round excellence and importance to his team, I'd have to go with Pocock. Beale may have left his run too late, but if he keeps his standards up during 2011 I'd back him to take the award next time.

 

[Hawko]

Hairy Donkey can't even make the best 22 for France, unless the coaching team believe Australia is really a "B" side.
No other NH player makes the candidates list.
Beale has only started a handfull of tests.
Matfield has not had a good season.

What can you say? The judging panel has continued its appalling record of years past. Just goes to show that being a great player doesn't make you a good judge.

 

[dobduff11]

pocock should win it, I voted for KB (Kurtley Beale) because on form this year he was world rugby's most exciting player.

Although the IRB will probably make Richie the player of the year so their is no point in voting

 

[#1?]

Sir Richie of the Darkness will probably get the award, however IMHO David Pocock deserves it.

There appears to be a NH imbalance in the judging numbers. Not sure that they would have seen all the good work of Pocock, and may be tempted to go with the Hairy Donkey as one of their chums.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

Richie McCaw - very consistent and dominant.

Mils Muliaina - Dependable, reliable but unspectacular - a bit like a good old Caterpillar diesol engine. Nomination is a reward for good service over the years.

Victor Matfield - Not as dominant in his position, and team has not been performing too well.

Imanol Harinordoquy - Have not seen enough of him, but telling that the Frogs have not selected him recently.

David Pocock - only serious challenger to Lord McCaw. Stand out year. I reckon that the judges will go for the old bloke figuring that Bam Bam has plenty of chances left to get this gong.

Kurtley Beale - a bit hot and cold particularly early on in the season.

The Jarses Award goes to Pocock (Who I think Should Win). The Judges award will probs go to McCaw (Who I think Will Win).

 

[Hodgy]

Its between Pocock & McCaw IMO, although Beale has been the most exciting player this year, I'd probably go McCaw but wouldn't lose sleep if Pocock or Beale won it. It depends whether Richie is as invisible to the judging panel as he is to referees.

 

[fatprop]

Harinordoquy may win this, his heroics playing really well wounded

and being the only NH player may help in the voting

If not Mils & McCaw

 

[Scarfman]

Hmm, none are stand outs. The only total joke on the list is Matfield. One fo the greats, and maybe the player of 2007 and 2008, but not recently.

I have seriously objected to McCaw's inclusion in the past, but a solid season this year might be good enough.

 

[S120]

No real standout in this group. How Kieren Read didn't make the shortlist is beyond me however. Seriously, I would have Read in the top 2 if he was included in this group, he has been amazingly good this year for the AB's.

I'd rank them like this:

1. Dave Pocock
2. Mils Muliaina (very happy he got nominated, he has been sensational this year and very underrated IMO)
3. Richie McCaw
4. Imaonl Harinodorquy
5. Kurtley Beale
6. Victor Matfield

 

[Top Bloke]

No Question Pocock has been the #1 openside this year, but I'd assume the panel would look at overall performances, influence on games etc.
On this balance I'd give it to McCaw, But no doubt the panel will throw a curve ball somehow . Kurtley Beale could be the dark horse (No Pun !! intended)

 

[dobduff11]

kurtley should win it for his falcon alone

 

[chief]

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.

 

[qwerty51]

Kieren Read???

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

Read has been very strong this year and should have at least been nominated.

 

[qwerty51]

Harinodorquy has been dropped from his own team, he'd win the award from the stands? (if he did)

 

[Bullrush]

Wow...Aussies thinking another AB should be in the running?!?!

Agree that Read should probably be the list.

I think McCaw should win it with Pocock coming 2nd. Ritchie's on-going influence on so many levels of the game is too strong to be ignored. Pocock, IMO, has a little way to go before his over-all game can be rated up there with McCaw's.

He's well on the way though.....

 

[DPK]

Shouldn't Fourie du Preez get it to make up for not getting it last year?