IRB player of the year nominees

[Rosco]

The International Rugby Board has announced the shortlist for the IRB Player of the Year 2009 in association with Emirates Airline. The winner will be announced, together with the IRB Coach of the Year and IRB Team of the Year, during the final weekend of November Tests.

This year sees an extended list of seven nominees following the closest vote in the Award's history. Ireland's Jamie Heaslip, Australia's Matt Giteau, Tom Croft of England and South Africans Francois Steyn and Fourie du Preez compete against two international captains in Ireland's Brian O'Driscoll and Richie McCaw of New Zealand to win the most prestigious individual award in the Game.

"The IRB Player of the Year Award is the ultimate accolade for a player and takes into account performances in all internationals played during the year, including the RBS Six Nations, British & Irish Lions Test Series, Tri Nations and the June and November Tests," said IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset.

"The list of past winners includes the iconic names of the decade - Jonny Wilkinson, Schalk Burger, Richie McCaw, Fabien Galthié, Dan Carter, Bryan Habana and Keith Wood have all been worthy recipients of the Award. Richie McCaw could become the first player to receive the accolade twice."

The nominees were selected by the IRB Awards independent panel of judges, comprising former internationals with over 500 Test caps between them. Will Greenwood, Gavin Hastings, Raphaël 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.

"Now that the shortlist has been selected the panel will reconvene at the completion of the November tests when the IRB Player of the Year will be selected. The announcement will be made at the conclusion of the final weekend of matches," added Lapasset.

The Player of the Year Award is the sixth of the 13 coveted IRB Awards in association with Emirates Airline to be presented in 2009.

In May, England captain Ollie Phillips was named IRB Sevens Player of the Year, while New Zealand captain Aaron Cruden was named IRB Junior Player of the Year in June. Australia's Debby Hodgkinson was named IRB Women's Personality of the Year in August and L'Aquila Rugby Club received the Spirit of Rugby Award in September. This month, Francis Palmade received the IRB Referee Award for Distinguished Service.

In a new format for the IRB Awards in association with Emirates Airline, winners will be named throughout the year, culminating in the announcement of the prestigious IRB Player, Coach and Team of the Year in November.

Previous Winners
2001 - Keith Wood
2002 - Fabien Galthié
2003 - Jonny Wilkinson
2004 - Schalk Burger
2005 - Dan Carter
2006 - Richie McCaw
2007 - Bryan Habanna
2008 - Shane Williams

No Andy Powell ?

 

[Judge Jules]

Haha.

I'd actually like to see Heaslip win it - not as big a name as some of the others maybe, but consistently good and an important part of any squad/team he's in.

 

[Rosco]

I think the fact that SA beat the Lions will probably tip in favour of De Preez / Steyn. Du Preez was probably the more consistently good one of the two.

While I enjoyed seeing Heaslip make the step up to being a difference maker at the highest level (and I think the argument you make in favour of him applies equally to Croft) , it just feels wrong to give it to him ahead of O'Driscoll. Time and time again last season he came up with the goods when it really mattered. I'd go so far to say it's the best season he's ever had and I think it'll be an awful shame if he doesn't pick up this award before he retires.

 

[Jürgen4PM]

O'Gara should be on this years shortlist.

 

[doctor_mac]

[quote author=Rafa4PM link=topic=37221.msg990348#msg990348 date=1258464559]
O'Gara should be on this years shortlist.
[/quote]

Only if it's a long one.

 

[Vanbasten84]

Brian O'Driscoll 8/15

Fourie du Preez 5/2

Matt Giteau 9/1

Richie McCaw 10/1

Jamie Heaslip 10/1

Frans Steyn 20/1

Tom Croft 40/1