IRB World Player of the Year

Ceartgoleor

Anyone know when this is announced??

Will the Dricmeister win? Certainly you'd think he'd be a far more deserving recipient than Shane Williams the year before. The main challenger I could think of for it would be Fourie du Preez, who has a similar level of domestic and international achievement, and is a key contributor to that success too.

But surely, this is Drico's year no?

Stick_man

Has to be Du Preez for me. BOD has had a great year and nobody could say he doesnt deserve it but Du Preez was/is the best player in the world and deserves the award. Not sure how much credabilty the award holds anyway. McCaw wasnt even nominated last year while Mike Blair was. A World 15, picked by coaches and rugby writers would carry far more weight for me. They should also pick the player of the year.

thomond2006

My 5 nominees:

Fourie du Preez
Morné Steyn
Victor Matfield
Brian O'Driscoll
John Smit?

chupacabra

thomond2006 wrote: »

My 5 nominees:

Fourie du Preez
Morné Steyn
Victor Matfield
Brian O'Driscoll
John Smit?

I would have Heinrich Brussow in there. He has been unbelievable this season.

Size=everything

Stick_man wrote: »

Has to be Du Preez for me. BOD has had a great year and nobody could say he doesnt deserve it but Du Preez was/is the best player in the world and deserves the award. Not sure how much credabilty the award holds anyway. McCaw wasnt even nominated last year while Mike Blair was. A World 15, picked by coaches and rugby writers would carry far more weight for me. They should also pick the player of the year.

O'Driscoll was the best player in the 6 Nations, captaining his side to their first grandslam in 61 years. His try saving tackles, drop kicks, tries and offloads won Ireland the grandslam. Honestly watch all the games again without him we certainly would of lost to England he was incredible that day and then against France and Scotland, magnificent. For the Lions him and Roberts cut South Africa apart he was pheonominal. One of the greatest players to ever play the game is reaching his 100th test as captain and has criminally never won the world player of the year award, if O'Driscoll doesn't win it I'll be sick.

Its a shame its not judged on club form as well as O'Driscoll would win it 100 times over if that was the case.

chupacabra

Size=everything wrote: »

O'Driscoll was the best player in the 6 Nations, captaining his side to their first grandslam in 61 years. His try saving tackles, drop kicks, tries and offloads won Ireland the grandslam. Honestly watch all the games again without him we certainly would of lost to England he was incredible that day and then against France and Scotland, magnificent. For the Lions him and Roberts cut South Africa apart he was pheonominal. One of the greatest players to ever play the game is reaching his 100th test as captain and has criminally never won the world player of the year award, if O'Driscoll doesn't win it I'll be sick.

Its a shame its not judged on club form as well as O'Driscoll would win it 100 times over if that was the case.

Du Preez has been better than O'Driscoll this year. For both club and country.

pappyodaniel

chupacabra wrote: »

I would have Heinrich Brussow in there. He has been unbelievable this season.

I'd agree with Heinrich Brussouw. But more than likely it''l go to a back. Du Preez or O'Driscoll have to be the front runners.

danthefan

chupacabra wrote: »

Du Preez has been better than O'Driscoll this year. For both club and country.

Apparently it's soley based on international. I'd love to see BOD win it but FdP would be a very worthy winner.

thomond2006

chupacabra wrote: »

I would have Heinrich Brussow in there. He has been unbelievable this season.

Yeah, I picked John Smit ahead of Brussow as he was the captain of the Boks who won the Lions Series and the Tri-Nations.

Brussow played better but Smit could get in for the above.

He certainly won't win, between Du Preez and BOD for me.

handsomecake

nonu or conrad smith for me

thomond2006

handsomecake wrote: »

nonu or conrad smith for me

You're haven't a laugh right?!

Ceartgoleor

chupacabra wrote: »

Du Preez has been better than O'Driscoll this year. For both club and country.

Based on what? I'm not detracting from du Preez's success, but he has the benefit of playing behind the best pack in the world. du Preez, as a scrum half is the world's best, no question. Brian O'Driscoll though is a game changing presence that comes along once in a lifetime.

Would South Africa have had the success they've had without Fourie du Preez? Possibly. Of course they're better with him, but that pack and lineout is still gonna dominate, Morne Steyn will still kick his goals, they'll still defend well and Habana and Pietersen will still finish most of what comes their way.

Would Ireland have had the success they've had without O'Driscoll? Absolutely no way. The captain, leader, chief inspirator, defensive leader, try scorer, everything. Best player to ever have pulled on an Irish shirt, one of the best to ever play the game.

It's gotta be Drico.

tolosenc

Tommy Bowe not worth a mention?

If I were a gambling man, it'd have to be Du Preez, though...

Stick_man

Ceartgoleor wrote: »

Based on what? I'm not detracting from du Preez's success, but he has the benefit of playing behind the best pack in the world. du Preez, as a scrum half is the world's best, no question. Brian O'Driscoll though is a game changing presence that comes along once in a lifetime.

Would South Africa have had the success they've had without Fourie du Preez? Possibly. Of course they're better with him, but that pack and lineout is still gonna dominate, Morne Steyn will still kick his goals, they'll still defend well and Habana and Pietersen will still finish most of what comes their way.

Would Ireland have had the success they've had without O'Driscoll? Absolutely no way. The captain, leader, chief inspirator, defensive leader, try scorer, everything. Best player to ever have pulled on an Irish shirt, one of the best to ever play the game.

It's gotta be Drico.

BOD was immense for us but your argument about Du Preez playing behind the best pack in the world.......BOD was playing behind the best pack in the six nations, Elsom was the main reason Leinster won the HC. Du Preez was pivitol in the super 14, Lions series, and tri-nations and is the best rugby player in the world. As I said in a earlier post, this award isnt the most coveted is it? It is ridiculous BOD hasnt won it. He will go down as one of the finest centres in the game and Im sure thats enough for him. That being said Ill be delighted for him if he wins.

Webbs

thomond2006 wrote: »

My 5 nominees:

Fourie du Preez
Morné Steyn
Victor Matfield
Brian O'Driscoll
John Smit?

Cant argue with either BOD or du Preez both had phenomenal years.

Matfield definately not, with Botha they are a perfectly matched pair, on his own he doesnt do enough around the park. Smit is great as a leader but just OK as a prop, I would have Gethin Jenkins ahead of him

Ceartgoleor

Stick_man wrote: »

BOD was immense for us but your argument about Du Preez playing behind the best pack in the world.......BOD was playing behind the best pack in the six nations, Elsom was the main reason Leinster won the HC. Du Preez was pivitol in the super 14, Lions series, and tri-nations and is the best rugby player in the world. As I said in a earlier post, this award isnt the most coveted is it? It is ridiculous BOD hasnt won it. He will go down as one of the finest centres in the game and Im sure thats enough for him. That being said Ill be delighted for him if he wins.

I'm a huge fan of Fourie du Preez, and being a scrum half I'd genuinely rate him as the best scrum half in the world, but not the best player in the world. I genuinely believe O'Driscoll exerts more influence on a team overall, or to put it simply, if I had a choice of either of them for my club side, I'd take O'Driscoll.

I suppose its all based on our opinions though, but I think i've justified my reasons for selecting him.

Munster Blogger

Has to be BOD. He captained Ireland to the GS and Lead by example scoring crutial tries at vital points in matches. He has only had one off year in his carrer.

Risteard

http://www.irishtimes.com/sports/rugby/2009/1116/1224258952283.html

O'Driscoll and Heaslip on IRB shortlist

IRB player of the year: Having scaled new heights over the past 12 months, it comes as no surprise to learn that Brian O’Driscoll has been shortlisted for the IRB player of the year. And the Grand Slam winning captain is joined on the select seven man panel by his Leinster and Ireland teammate Jamie Heaslip.
Although O’Driscoll has been shortlisted in the past, he has yet to claim the IRB accolade. In 2001 he lost out to Keith Wood and was overlooked again a year later when Fabien Galthie picked up the gong.
This year he will face competition from Heaslip, 2006 winner Richie McCaw, the South African duo of Francois Steyn and Fourie du Preez, Australia’s Matt Giteau and Tom Croft of England.
The nominees were selected by an independent panel of judges that included Paul Wallace and Gavin Hastings. They watched over 60 hours of action from 46 matches, awarding points to the three players they thought stood out in each match.
The winner, together with the IRB Coach of the Year and IRB Team of the Year, will be announced on Sunday, Novmeber 29th.

Heaslip's inclusion is a bit of a shock, tbh as is Croft's.

P_1

TBH Francois Steyn is the biggest shock. What has he done to earn a nomination. Unless it was a typo from the Times and they meant Morne Steyn.

anonymous_joe

Tom Croft? FFS. What about Haskell if you need an English player? Or Ferris or Elsom for a 6. ><

Anyway, it'll be Du Preez.

dub_skav

anonymous_joe wrote: »

Tom Croft? FFS. What about Haskell if you need an English player? Or Ferris or Elsom for a 6. ><

Anyway, it'll be Du Preez.

When you see the explanation of the system they use Croft's inclusion isn't that crazy.

awarding points to the three players they thought stood out in each match

The matches Croft played well in he certainly stood out in so probably all of the judges would have given him points.

Idon't think he deserves to win, but looking at the scoring system I can certainly understand his inclusion.

Cuchulain

Id say its a political thing. An Englishman had to be picked and Croft was better than Haskell during the 6 nations not to mention his inclusion with the Lions.
Steyn was a massive surprise, Matfield, Botha, Brussow and Fourie were streets ahead of him during the tri-nations.

anonymous_joe

dub_skav wrote: »

When you see the explanation of the system they use Croft's inclusion isn't that crazy.



The matches Croft played well in he certainly stood out in so probably all of the judges would have given him points.

Idon't think he deserves to win, but looking at the scoring system I can certainly understand his inclusion.

It's internationals only isn't it?

I'll admit that Ferris got injured, the Saffers back row was shíte other than Brussow, etc, but there's not really been a decent blindside this season. Croft's a decent player, but given that England are in rag order, he's being judged on three Lions tests.

Munster Blogger

Bit of a joke selection really. BOD should be a shoe in to win it. only competition would be Du Preez, maybe Heaslip

thomond2006

Francois Steyn?!

chupacabra

Wow that is ridiculous. I bet Francois Steyn is only there because of those 3 penalties he scored against New Zealand from his own half. And Croft? Surely its not his Lions form as he wasn't even on the original plane and Ferris was a shoe in to start ahead of him. To be honest i think the IRB player of the year will be decided in the Ireland vs South Africa match, if Du Preez has a woeful match then its BODs, but if Du Preez takes us apart then its all his. Also how can Richie McCaw get picked ahead of Heinrich Brussow if it "takes into account performances in all internationals played during the year" according to Lapasset.

little173

chupacabra wrote: »

Wow that is ridiculous. I bet Francois Steyn is only there because of those 3 penalties he scored against New Zealand from his own half. And Croft? Surely its not his Lions form as he wasn't even on the original plane and Ferris was a shoe in to start ahead of him. To be honest i think the IRB player of the year will be decided in the Ireland vs South Africa match, if Du Preez has a woeful match then its BODs, but if Du Preez takes us apart then its all his. Also how can Richie McCaw get picked ahead of Heinrich Brussow if it "takes into account performances in all internationals played during the year" according to Lapasset.

The thing about Brussow is he wasnt first choice for SA going into the Lions Series. Their backrow was Juan Smit, Burger and Spies. Furthermore, he wasnt even in the squad prior to Burger getting injured so his rise has been quite late. I actually didnt think Du Preez was that great in the Lions series, he was good but he didnt dominate Phillips in the way I thought he would so I would say its that clear cut vs BOD.

Not much to choose between the two really and I think Sentiment will shift it towards BOD.

2040

thomond2006 wrote: »

Francois Steyn?!

Say what you like about Steyn but to be honest, his selection makes sense. South Africa have been the best national side in the world this year, or at least the most successful thus far. Central to their game plan was their effective, if dull, kicking game. Steyn was a key component of that game plan with his masssive boot. He probably has the biggest boot in world rugby.

Personally, i wouldn't have thought he'd be shortlisted and i wouldn't have picked him but it hasn't come from complete leftfield.

BOD for the win though.

gcgirl

lifted from sarugby.com

Confusion as Steyn nominated for IRB award

Monday, November 16
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There was confusion on Monday afternoon when Francois Steyn was unveiled by the IRB as one of the shortlisted players for the coveted IRB Player of the Year award.

The International Rugby Board sent a press release out to the media in which the Racing Metro fullback was named alongside Fourie du Preez, Jamie Heaslip, Matt Giteau, Tom Croft, Richie McCaw and Brian O'Driscoll as the extended shortlist for the award.

While the former Sharks man enjoyed a successful season for the Springboks following his switch to fullback with his seige-gun boot breaking the hearts of many it's though far more likely that the IRB meant to name his namesake Morne Steyn among the shortlisted players.

The Bulls flyhalf kicked his side to a second Super 14 title as well as Currie Cup glory. For the Springboks he was instrumental in their series victory over the British & Irish Lions and the their second Tri-Nations success.

The IRB also posted the announcement to their website and are yet to either confirm a mistake has been made or explain this bizarre decision.

Latest: SA Rugby further compounded the confusion when they forwarded on the IRB release an hour after the IRB's release. Did SA Rugby not check up with the IRB or is Frans Steyn really the correct nominee?


was it a mistake??????

chupacabra

chupacabra wrote: »

Also how can Richie McCaw get picked ahead of Heinrich Brussow if it "takes into account performances in all internationals played during the year" according to Lapasset.

Token Kiwi?

gosplan

F.Steyn doesn't make any sense.

There's no way you can watch a Springbok and pick someone other than Du Preez or a forward if you're selecting three outstanding players.

The only exception to this would be M.Steyn in his record points game against NZ.

In fairness, if you're including them or Croft, then Parisse really should be there. He stood out in pretty much every game.

myflipflops

What are the chances that Francois Steyne was a mistake by the IRB. They meant Morne Steyn but now don;t want to admit it!!

If i was nominating the 7 best South African players this year, F Steyne wouldn't be there.

Andre1816

Surely BOD is a shoe in, how in the name of all things holy did Rocky not make the list, how is Styen there.

Stick_man

I orignally posted that the award held no merit and this proves it. Neither Heaslip,Steyn,McCaw,Croft deserve to be on that list. What it should have been:

Du Preez
Elsom
O Driscoll
Brussow
Roberts
M.Steyn

handsomecake

mccaw for me out of that list

uberwolf

Elsom? this is based on internationals only - he hasn't played that many

Kenteach

Bookies seem to think BOD is a shoe in, as do I. Don't think it'll come down to respective performances in two weeks v Du Preez.

padser

Andre1816 wrote: »

Su how in the name of all things holy did Rocky not make the list,

In fairness (and amazing and all as Rocky is) not playing in of any games probably hindered him slightly when the points were being awarded........I guess there are limits to what the guy can do

funky penguin

The panel of judges – Will Greenwood, Gavin Hastings, Raphael Ibanez, Francois Pienaar, Agustin Pichot, Scott Quinnell, Tana Umaga, Paul Wallace and convenor John Eales watched over 60 hours of action from 46 matches, awarding points to the three players they thought stood out in each match, explained an IRB press release.

From here.

You couldn't make it up.

twinytwo

funky penguin wrote: »

From here.

You couldn't make it up.

well we know who he wont be voting for....

Out of all the players there drico deserves it the most.. even for all the great moments of the last ten years... plus 5 tries in his last 6 games for ireland and the list goes on

jdivision

I reckon du Preez will get it

Amabokke

You can't say the selections above are poor because Steyn had a poor Barbarians game or he had a bad kicking game against the Wallabies last year. In fact if you watch every bok game he played in he did more good than bad had a good success rate with the boot to the posts. He was only 19 when he scored that first try against Ireland in 2009 and for such a young lad to come this far and win a couple of games for SA because of his boot is relevant.

BOD might've been good at 19-20 too but he was no match winner then. He might've been good the past season but he was ordinary in 2008 6N.

Morney Steyn and Brussouw also can't be nominated because they haven't played that much internationals. Elsom did good for Leinster for one season but haven't played that many internationals and that peacok lad is doing better than him.

It's all about consistency of playing internationals over a number of years and to creat that something extra and special otherwise if it's just players for this year the list will be endless.

thegen

Amabokke wrote: »

You can't say the selections above are poor because Steyn had a poor Barbarians game or he had a bad kicking game against the Wallabies last year. In fact if you watch every bok game he played in he did more good than bad had a good success rate with the boot to the posts. He was only 19 when he scored that first try against Ireland in 2009 and for such a young lad to come this far and win a couple of games for SA because of his boot is relevant.

BOD might've been good at 19-20 too but he was no match winner then. He might've been good the past season but he was ordinary in 2008 6N.

Morney Steyn and Brussouw also can't be nominated because they haven't played that much internationals. Elsom did good for Leinster for one season but haven't played that many internationals and that peacok lad is doing better than him.

It's all about consistency of playing internationals over a number of years and to creat that something extra and special otherwise if it's just players for this year the list will be endless.[/QUOTE]

Is it not "World Player of the year"? and not world player over a consistant period?

twinytwo

if we beat sa at the weekend ... should get coach,team and player of the year no?

anonymous_joe

twinytwo wrote: »

if we beat sa at the weekend ... should get coach,team and player of the year no?

If.

Saffers won the Lions tour. Already in the lead by miles anyway.

Munster Blogger

twinytwo wrote: »

if we beat sa at the weekend ... should get coach,team and player of the year no?

No team or coach has achieved more this year. Ireland deserve it anyway. So does BOD. Only competition is SA

twinytwo

anonymous_joe wrote: »

If.

Saffers won the Lions tour. Already in the lead by miles anyway.

can the lions tour count for that much? i mean they won by the skin of their teeth when everything was stacked in their favor and for the vast majority they were outplayed... and assuming we beat the boks thats the entire year without a loss that has to count for something

SpAcEd OuT

I reckon South Africa are a shoe in for team of the year after the tri nations and 3-0 Lions success.


For coach of the year I reckon its going to be Kidney. No one has stood out, De Villiers has pissed off the IRB to no end and in his first season in charge Kidney won the 6 Nations.

Player of the year is easy, O'Driscoll.

IRB under 19 player of the year will be James O'Conner.

anonymous_joe

twinytwo wrote: »

can the lions tour count for that much? i mean they won by the skin of their teeth when everything was stacked in their favor and for the vast majority they were outplayed... and assuming we beat the boks thats the entire year without a loss that has to count for something

The Saffers were the worse team in the second two tests and the first test was even.

But like the 97 tour, the worse team won. Winners always get the benefit of revisionism too. It'll end up looking like a triumph for the Boks.

SpAcEd OuT

twinytwo wrote: »

can the lions tour count for that much? i mean they won by the skin of their teeth when everything was stacked in their favor and for the vast majority they were outplayed... and assuming we beat the boks thats the entire year without a loss that has to count for something

Its the 3-0 that will edge it for them.

Also S.A beat two of the top 2 teams in the world (excluding themselves) regularly and won the tri nations. Add that to the 3-0 Lions series and its hard to look past South Africa despite what has happened in the friendlies in the AI. I don't even think the AIs are included in decision making as the candidates are announced beforehand and the panel of judges have already examined the footage of games.

SpAcEd OuT

Just as an aside

6/8 years the player of the year and coach of the year have all been from the team of the year.