You pick the IRUPA Player of the Year

opinionatedfan

Leinster prop Cian Healy, Munster back Simon Zebo and Ulster number eight Nick Williams have been nominated by the Irish Rugby Union Players’ Association, (Irupa) for the Player of the Year award.

Who deserves it in your opinion?

its_phil

I'd probably have given it to Madigan or POM. But of the three probably Williams just edging Healy because I've seen more of Ulster than Leinster over the course of the year and Williams is so destructive. Great comeback to Irish rugby.

awec

The incredible hulk hasn't been the same post-injury.

Podge_irl

Think its a bit of an odd selection myself, though I guess no one has really stood out massively in a poor enough year for Irish rugby. I think Healy is the best player on that list, but for sheer impact I'm tempted to go for Williams.

Fireball07

Zebo of those 3.


Bit of an odd list though.

tolosenc

Madigan.

Teferi

I pick Madigan but as he isn't there I'll go with Zebo because I like his flair. Cian Healy could contend for this award annually because his standards just don't seem to drop.

Hype710

Healy for his consistent excellence more than anything.

Buer

Well, Jared Payne has clearly been sleeping with the wife of someone in the IRUPA. Only explanation.

shuffol

I'd have gone for Payne myself, there's no real stand out candidates otherwise, out of the 3 I'd go with Healy.

badnewsbear

Probably would have gone Pom or Sean o brien but Healy from this list

jacothelad

Podge_irl wrote: »

Think its a bit of an odd selection myself, though I guess no one has really stood out massively in a poor enough year for Irish rugby. I think Healy is the best player on that list, but for sheer impact I'm tempted to go for Williams.

Williams has missed a third of the season with injury and still has had 7 or 8 motms that he fully deserved. I don't think he has fully recovered from that knee problem...(was that the injury that fecked him over at Munster?>) Considering how many Ulster fans - not me - wrote him off before he pulled on a shirt - (see Zane Kirchner), he has been a revelation. He isn't the best No. 8 ever to play for Ulster but he is feckin' great with the ball in hand..... he entertains and is effective - mostly.

I don't think Healy has had a great season by his standards. He has looked very off colour in the last few games especially. (He needs a shoulder op I think.) Even Ulster loosehead Ricki Lutton in his first game as a tight head wasn't exactly stuffed out of sight. When Archer looks good against someone usually as good as Cian, there is something amiss...albeit Archer, while he has always been very good in the loose but a marshmallow in the scrum, seems to have added a good level of aggression in the scrummaging stakes and is beginning - maybe - to get up to speed.

Zebo is Zebo. Brilliant, eye catching player. Other wingers have been just as effective - or more so - this year though. The unfashionable Andrew Trimble for example. I don't think his back flick - while absolutely fantastic is enough reason alone to pick him. He is the most exciting player for a while though.

.ak

Strange shortlist!

little173

Zebo for me he has star quality.

Healy is a fine player but dont think he has quite hit the heights of last season. I think the likes of Ryan, Murray, Henderson, Marshall, Gilroy, Madigan, SOB, Jackson, Sexton, Strauss, POM, Couglan, McCarthy and Marmion have all had good seasons but I think the lack of Ireland success plus not a stellar HC year has affected it.

Grimebox

Cian Healy because LEEIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNNNSTTTTTTTERRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

bilston

shuffol wrote: »

I'd have gone for Payne myself, there's no real stand out candidates otherwise, out of the 3 I'd go with Healy.

Payne's injury probably stopped him going up for the award, then again Williams has missed periods of the season as well. To be honest if it is one nomination per province then I'd have gone with Trimble.

Zebo for the main award for me, just because of the excitement he brings to the game as well as the fact he's played well also.

sydthebeat

i wouldnt have had any of those three as best players for their clubs all season.....

bilston

Who comes up with the nominations? The players? Jonny Sexton? Some IRUPA committee?

ionadnapokot

i dont know but they are odd.
Madigan

john kinsella

POM

Larbre34

A surprising shortlist. Healy has had an average year by his own standards, not even Leinster's best player.

I know this is a players thing but I think if you were selecting from the provinces' best and most consistent performers you would pick from

Ian Madigan
Chris Henry/Craig Gilroy
Peter O'Mahony
Mike McCarthy/Robbie Henshaw

Tombo2001

Why does Irish rugby continuously give two fingers to Andrew Trimble.

Top Irish scorer in the Magners League this year, but this apparently is not relevant.

wittycynic

Tombo2001 wrote: »

Why does Irish rugby continuously give two fingers to Andrew Trimble.

Top Irish scorer in the Magners League this year, but this apparently is not relevant.

He's been tried time and again at international level but he's a bit of a paddy Wallace; can look great at Rabo and even HEC level, but can't seem to replicate that standard when he moves up to international games.

its_phil

Tombo2001 wrote: »

Why does Irish rugby continuously give two fingers to Andrew Trimble.

Top Irish scorer in the Magners League this year, but this apparently is not relevant.

I hardly think his own work union is giving him the two fingers

Trimble was good this year but Gilroy, Zebo and Fitz were better choices. I'm a big Trimble fan too.

Gambas

Larbre34 wrote: »

A surprising shortlist. Healy has had an average year by his own standards, not even Leinster's best player.

I know this is a players thing but I think if you were selecting from the provinces' best and most consistent performers you would pick from

Ian Madigan
Chris Henry/Craig Gilroy
Peter O'Mahony
Mike McCarthy/Robbie Henshaw

McCarthy has been nowhere near the best or most consistent player for Connacht all season. Ireland and Leinster distractions have seen to that. Willie Faloon would probably be the one you're looking for.

bilston

its_phil wrote: »

I hardly think his own work union is giving him the two fingers

Trimble was good this year but Gilroy, Zebo and Fitz were better choices. I'm a big Trimble fan too.

Trimble has been Ulster's best player this season. Don't just take my word for it go check out the Ulster MB and check out the player of the season thread.

trouttrout

Zebo for me, and not just for the heel. He's been fantastic all season

awec

Trimble is probably the in-form Irish winger and has been all season.

its_phil

bilston wrote: »

Trimble has been Ulster's best player this season. Don't just take my word for it go check out the Ulster MB and check out the player of the season thread.

I never said he wasn't Ulsters player of the year, albeit Williams has been excellent, and I know Trimble has been excellent this year.

But for this 6N's the players picked ahead of him were probably correct. The likes of Zebo, Gilroy and even Fitz were suppose to be a breath of fresh air. I'd have had no qualms with Trimble but I still would have liked to of seen those guys given a chance too.

Like I said I'm a big Trimble fan. A very honest player who is very consistent.

jamiedav2011

Can't really understand how Healy is nominated for this. Don't think he's had a great season.

Kayless

Zebo for me others would be Madigan, Henderson and Marshall