World Player of the Year 2010

[farva]

It must be coming around to that time of the year again.

I know the Spring Tour is still to happen, but surely McCaw has it in the bag.

What other contenders are there?

 

[barbarian]

The selections for this prize continually defy logic. There is a bit of an NH bias as well. So I reckon whilst I would nominate McCaw, Carter, Nonu and maybe Thorn for the top prize, only one will get in. From Australia maybe Pocock or Genia (considering how wet the NH got for him last season). SA- maybe Matfield. Not sure about NH.

 

[farva]

I think the bias is in the way the selections are made.

If I remember correctly, 5 or 6 past players (I think John Eales is one) sit down and watch all of the games played that year and pick the top 3 players.

That means that games between Italy and Scotland are given the same importance as games between Australia and New Zealand.

And players in the top teams lose votes to their team mates, whereas good players in average teams stand out.

Its a flawed system, but when trying to make it quantative, its the best I can think of.

 

[Ruggo]

On form I would add Keiren Reid and Tom Donnoly. Matfield had an off year for mine but so did quite a few other high profile players. I agree that they defy logic though.

 

[MajorlyRagerly]

The world player of the year is a load of tosh and a lottery to get nominated. St Richie shouldn't have won it last year (FdP then daylight for me), but is a real candidate this year - and I bet he doesn't get nominated. In my opinion, your young ginga Pocock should get nominated too, but I bet he doesn't as Aussie players seem to get overlooked for this award.

I'd put my money this year on a frenchman. been a lot of salivating in the NH press about the Frogs of late.

Usually the SH gets 3 nominations or so & this year I'd give them to McCaw, Pocock then Reid (in that order)

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

There has seldom been any credibility in this award. I've stopped paying attention to it now.

 

[Epi]

Morgan Parra

 

[chief]

Pocock will get a nomination.

After McCaw won it over DuPreez last year, credibility was lost

 

[disco]

After McCaw won it over DuPreez last year, credibility was lost

And when Shane Williams won over McCaw.

 

[sudrugby]

The selections for this prize continually defy logic. There is a bit of an NH bias as well. So I reckon whilst I would nominate McCaw, Carter, Nonu and maybe Thorn for the top prize, only one will get in. From Australia maybe Pocock or Genia (considering how wet the NH got for him last season). SA- maybe Matfield. Not sure about NH.

Thierry Dusautoir... 6 Nations & H Cup
or Morgan Parra... 6 Nations & Top 14

 

[Thomond78]

Hairydonkey. Simply amazing, all year long, in all games he played.