Nominees announced for IRB Player of the Year 2010.

thomond2006

http://www.irb.com/history/awards/newsid=2040899.html#shortlist+announced+irb+player+year

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 month.

Previous Winners of the IRB Player of the Year Award:
2009 - Richie McCaw
2008 - Shane Williams
2007 - Bryan Habana
2006 - Richie McCaw
2005 - Dan Carter
2004 - Schalk Burger
2003 - Jonny Wilkinson
2002 - Fabien Galthie
2001 - Keith Wood

Can't really argue with the nominations. I'm sure Quade Cooper would have made it before the autumn series, his star seems to have faded a bit. My top 3 would be Muliaina, Pocock and Matfield in that order although the others have been outstanding. I think McCaw will win it again but my preference would definitely be Mils. The best back three player this year by miles.

Is this first year there have been no nominations from any of the home nations? Can't really say there was many outstanding performers from Ireland, Scotland, Wales or England this year, not until England's recent run of good form.

Stev_o

Victor Matfield

Hard one though id pick Mils myself he's had a brilliant year.

Ian_K

Voted for Harinordoquy as he was the standout northern hemisphere player this year

I think William Servat should have been nominated, along with Dusatoir, a Six Nations/Heineken Cup double deserves recognition

thomond2006

Victor Matfield

Ian_K wrote: »

Voted for Harinordoquy as he was the standout northern hemisphere player this year

I think William Servat should have been nominated, along with Dusatoir, a Six Nations/Heineken Cup double deserves recognition

Instead of who? Just curious.

AFAIK it has always been six nominees. Can't have much more selected tbh otherwise it's a pointless achievement to be nominated.

twinytwo

Imanol Harinordoquy

whats the betting richie gets it again:rolleyes:

Kiwi_knock

Victor Matfield

Would love Mils or Pocock to win it but should be another one for Mc Caw. Glad to see Beale there, has been fantastic in any of the international games I have seen him in.

Ian_K

thomond2006 wrote: »

Instead of who? Just curious.

AFAIK it has always been six nominees. Can't have much more selected tbh otherwise it's a pointless achievement to be nominated.

Im not sure, Beale maybe, although hes been very impressive his game is far from faultless and he hasnt actually won anything this year

profitius

After last year I don't think people should even bother debate it.

[Jackass]

Kurtley Beale

Yeah was absolutely criminal that BO'D didn't get it last year.

Shame no Irish player got nominated. Maybe Heaslip could have sneaked in there ahead of Harinordoquy.

I'm getting sick of the McCaw nominations and wouldn't like to see him get it again. Would love to see Matfield get it.

bamboozle

Harinordoquy for me, however i'm not sure why there is even a short list, it should just be given to Richie McCaw.

Suprised Quade Cooper wasnt nominated he's lit up world rugby this season.

B0X

David Pocock

Beale, just for being able to recover from that pass to the face to kick the winning penalty against SA in overtime.

razorblunt

Imanol Harinordoquy

Pocock for me, Richie's had it twice spread the wealth!!

JustinDee

Mils Muliaina

McCaw.

Risteard

Mils Muliaina

Should be McCaw tbh if we're just going to go on this year's form and not judge on previous years or how many times he's won.

wonton

i think dan parks could have got a mention. scotland beat ireland, argentina twice and south africa hugely thanks to him.

shane williams also had i good year i thought.

aston played well for england in the matchs i watched but didnt see many of them tbh


but in reality about half of the all blacks or australias team could have been nominated.

jolley123

Imanol Harinordoquy

I voted for Pocock, think he has been outstanding. Don't think any Irish player deserved to be there tbh. I expect McCaw to get it though. I think if Ben Youngs would have found the form he's hit a little earlier then he would have deserved to be on that list.

Judgement Day

Mils Muliaina

Voted for Richie McCaw, of course, but why no Dan Carter? Surely he was critical to the Tri-Nations victory and the current "Clean Sweep" tour?

PhatPiggins

Mils Muliaina

If I ever see a better player then Richie McCaw in my life time it'll only be because we've started using genetically engineered players.

stephen_n

Surprised that Carters name isn't on the list!

sock puppet

There never seems to be any front rowers making the shortlist.

tolosenc

Imanol Harinordoquy

McCaw? If the laws of the game actually applied to him, he'd be useless!