Six of the best

Six of the best

19 Oct 2011

Three All Blacks, two Wallabies and one Frenchman have been shortlisted for the 2011 IRB Player of the Year award.

All Blacks scrumhalf Piri Weepu, flanker Jerome Kaino and centre Ma’a Nonu, Wallabies flanker David Pocock and scrumhalf Will Genia, and Les Bleus skipper Thierry Dusautoir are all in line for the prestigious accolade. Pocock has been nominated for the second year in a row, losing out to All Blacks skipper Richie McCaw last year.

The IRB Player of the Year nominees were selected by an independent panel of judges, which is chaired by former Wallabies captain John Eales. Other members are Will Greenwood, Gavin Hastings, Raphaël Ibanez, Francois Pienaar, Agustín Pichot, Scott Quinnell, Tana Umaga and Paul Wallace. Every major Test played in 2011 has been taken into consideration, starting with the opening Six Nations match and culminating with the World Cup final.

The winner will be announced at an awards ceremony in Auckland on Monday. Other prizes given on the night will be IRB Coach of the Year, IRB Team of the Year, IRB Sevens Player of the Year, IRB Junior Player of the Year and IRB Women’s Personality of the Year.

2011 IRB Player of the Year Nominees:
Piri Weepu
Jerome Kaino
Ma’a Nonu
David Pocock
Will Genia
Thierry Dusautoir

Previous winners:
2010 – Richie McCaw (New Zealand)
2009 – Richie McCaw (New Zealand)
2008 – Shane Williams (Wales)
2007 – Bryan Habana (South Africa)
2006 – Richie McCaw (New Zealand)
2005 – Dan Carter (New Zealand)
2004 – Schalk Burger (South Africa)
2003 – Jonny Wilkinson (England)
2002 – Fabien Galthié (France)
2001 – Keith Wood (Ireland)


154 Comments

Pages: « 1 [2] 3 4 » Show All

  • 51.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    19 Oct 2011, 11:06 am

    What… No Reechie on the nominees list? How dare they… Its a fix.

    I nominate someone who has been forgotten…

    Someone who has been the centre of rugby in this World Cup…

    The centre of the Rugby Universe…

    The Lord of the Results…

    No team can win except through him…

    I nominate:

    The “all powerful” REF…Paddy O Brien can collect on behalf of this now near mythical figure… The true Titan of the Modern Game.

  • 52.cane: Reply to this comment
    19 Oct 2011, 11:12 am

    @mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-42:

    I would move Digby Ioane off your bench and into the starting line-up ahead of Kahui.

    I would also nominate him for “Player of the year”.

  • 53.Nils: Reply to this comment
    19 Oct 2011, 11:18 am

    Justice4Cyclops.

  • 54.SharkaZulu: Reply to this comment
    19 Oct 2011, 11:19 am

    Weepu???!!! Fat boy Weepu???!!! He’s good (so-so), but seriously?

  • 55.stew: Reply to this comment
    19 Oct 2011, 11:23 am

    @Kobus Kitty(Kobus Kitty)-50: Lets be honest for a second and not be biased – which SA player in both S15 and international level has been outstanding this year ????

  • 56.mshiniwami: Reply to this comment
    19 Oct 2011, 11:25 am

    @cane(cane)-52:

    Yeah but Kahui has had a stellar world cup.Thats why thats my RWC 22 (Ioane was injured after Italy game so didnt feature in Round Robin much then was avg/mediocre vs Boks and same vs NZ bar one amazing run)

    Kahui & Jane have been simply outstanding in rwc

  • 57.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    19 Oct 2011, 11:27 am

    Rugby World Cup XV

    15 Dagg
    14 Jane
    13 Smith
    12 Nonu
    11 Kahui
    10 Bryce
    9 Warthog
    8 Read
    7 Cheat
    6 Kaino
    5 Whitelock
    4 Thorne
    3 Paddy
    2 Alain
    1. Woodcock

    Obviously all New Zealanders or honorary new Zealanders … The team of the tournament… The greatest side ever.

  • 58.JEZ: Reply to this comment
    19 Oct 2011, 11:30 am

    Well I have to agree with no Boks on the list.
    To be honest no one player has jumped out and dominated this year.
    Reckon Kaino has as good a chance as anybody.
    If Coopers S15 form had translated onto the test match arena he would have won hands down but it goes to show that it is a big step up.

  • 59.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    19 Oct 2011, 11:30 am

    @stew(stew)-55: Piri Weepu!

  • 60.mshiniwami: Reply to this comment
    19 Oct 2011, 11:31 am

    @stew(stew)-55:

    Bismark du Plessis,Schalk Burger,Willem Alberts.

    Now lets be honest-has Weepu been outstanding in BOTH S15 and internationals?? Dont think so Was Pocock oustanding in both S15(which he spent injured) and internationals?? Dont think so.Same with Dusuatoir who was shocking vs NZ and ok for Tolouse.

  • 61.stew: Reply to this comment
    19 Oct 2011, 11:32 am

    @Transformation(Transformation)-59: Ok – you have a point – very confused about this one !

  • 62.mshiniwami: Reply to this comment
    19 Oct 2011, 11:33 am

    Schalk burger had a HUGE S15 and when he came bk to Boks he was HUGE in RWC. He deserves a mention

    And I aint even the biggest Burger fan

  • 63.stew: Reply to this comment
    19 Oct 2011, 11:34 am

    @mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-60: Great players , i know , but have they been outstanding – i would agree with you on Schalk .

  • 64.stew: Reply to this comment
    19 Oct 2011, 11:35 am

    Bismarck and Willem unfortunately , at the moment , cannot claim a starting spot in the SA side – cant be included .

  • 65.stew: Reply to this comment
    19 Oct 2011, 11:36 am

    OK OK OK – the reason why Weepu is in the list is sooooooooooo obvious ….

    Leads a great haka !!!!

  • 66.mshiniwami: Reply to this comment
    19 Oct 2011, 11:36 am

    Best Players of 2011 and who AB fans must be most proud of is Kaino and Nonu. Both have finally realised their immense talent as rugby players in addition to their obvious physical gifts.

    Awesome Awesome coaching of these 2 and them applying themselves.

  • 67.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    19 Oct 2011, 11:37 am

    @mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-60: Fark, the machine gunner does it again… Shoot them down, ball of flames… Nice.

  • 68.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    19 Oct 2011, 11:40 am

    @mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-60: I must admonish you on leaving out Deon Fourie. He was once the undisputed “2nd best hooker in SA”.

  • 69.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    19 Oct 2011, 11:41 am

    @stew(stew)-63: every time Bismark got on the field he was outstanding! pity he was benched for Plod!

  • 70.fantasticbarnsmell: Reply to this comment
    19 Oct 2011, 11:42 am

    lets be honest, no Springbok deserves to be there. Kaino should get this one imo. can’t understand why Weepu is there however, as someone mentioned Digby Ioane should probably be there.

  • 71.stew: Reply to this comment
    19 Oct 2011, 11:42 am

    Coach of the year – ?????

    Gatland – has transformed Wales from a team of hairy welshmen roaming the valleys singing to conan the barbarian look alikes

  • 72.stew: Reply to this comment
    19 Oct 2011, 11:46 am

    @Transformation(Transformation)-69: Agreed , i cant see how he wont get nominated next year if he keeps up his current form and STARTS .

  • 73.J.B. Cowper: Reply to this comment
    19 Oct 2011, 11:50 am

    Bismarck du Plessis eclipsed all the above … and by a long way. If Eales is around SA won’t figure.

  • 74.out wide: Reply to this comment
    19 Oct 2011, 12:15 pm

    @mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-60: The answer is in the lead in to the article:
    Every major Test played in 2011 has been taken into consideration, starting with the opening Six Nations match and culminating with the World Cup final.

    So whether they played S15, how well they played S15 does not seem to matter. He might not be a favourite in SA but my money goes on David Pocock. The Wallabies are a different side when he is in their test side.

  • 75.ufo: Reply to this comment
    19 Oct 2011, 12:18 pm

    Thing is… we had every expert, every man and his dingo in every foreign team and coaching staff and press and television telling us that Bissy IS the best hooker in the world the best player at the world cup and should be starting and playing for the boks and that he is totally dominant and game changing and game winning etc etc when on the park…

    I’m not knocking Bissy here… or his supporters… just pointing out that if he was so universally praised and commended for his performances…

    how come he ain’t on the list…???

    :shock:

  • 76.Bill Reyts: Reply to this comment
    19 Oct 2011, 12:18 pm

    I have to agree with a previous comment.

    Bismark is only the 2nd best hooker in SA and Alberts is only the 2nd best 8th man in SA. How can they be best in the world. Pdivvy made it clear that Smit is the best hooker in the world. Maybe he should get an honourary mention. What you think Grant?

  • 77.stew: Reply to this comment
    19 Oct 2011, 12:18 pm

    @out wide(out wide)-74: As mshi says the player of the year usually goes in a WC year to a player in the winning side – sorry bro , Pocock is out

  • 78.stew: Reply to this comment
    19 Oct 2011, 12:20 pm

    @ufo(ufo)-75: He cant command a start in his national side – easy

  • 79.mshiniwami: Reply to this comment
    19 Oct 2011, 12:21 pm

    @out wide(out wide)-74:

    So how does that incl Weepu? who has just recently been starting 9 for Ab’s.Had an avg season barring last few games where his kicking has been his saving grace along with AB’s.

    Jerome Kaino also added a whole different edge to AB pack,physicality wise he and Thorn are often the difference between parity and dominance and collisions.Plus his ball carries,lineout prowess,all round game etc

    And more importantly his near perfect error rate.

    He trumps Pocock anyday.

  • 80.Bill Reyts: Reply to this comment
    19 Oct 2011, 12:22 pm

    Ref of the year goes to?

  • 81.Bill Reyts: Reply to this comment
    19 Oct 2011, 12:24 pm

    @stew(stew)-78:

    …but he is best in that position at his franchise? Does that count for something?

  • 82.mshiniwami: Reply to this comment
    19 Oct 2011, 12:24 pm

    Julien Bonaire has had a bigger year than Dusuatoir.

  • 83.stew: Reply to this comment
    19 Oct 2011, 12:25 pm

    AAAAAAAAAAAAAAh give it to McCaw again – solves all the fighting

  • 84.Bill Reyts: Reply to this comment
    19 Oct 2011, 12:27 pm

    Funny how it rains when cricket is played at Centurion!

  • 85.stew: Reply to this comment
    19 Oct 2011, 12:27 pm

    @Bill Reyts(Gumboots)-81: I thought Smit was , the national captain ????? If his own country cant decide if he is the best , how can he even be consider for the the award of best player in the world ???

  • 86.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    19 Oct 2011, 12:28 pm

    @ufo(ufo)-75: no you’re not knowcking bissy but you’re on you usually “i was right about plod” high horse. bissy’s omission is because of the LIMITED game time he was given by PdV, it is not rocket science.

    Bissy was rested in rustenburg when your plod was huffing & puffing in Aus/Nz

    why is Piri Weepu in that list?

    not being able to validly answer that question is clear reason enough to show you these “nominations” are bogus, you’re better off not using them as a trump card :D

  • 87.>^..^< katman: Reply to this comment
    19 Oct 2011, 12:28 pm

    @mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-82: Didn’t he miss that fairly straightforward tackle on the touchline that let the Tongan player in for the winning try? That alone should exclude him.

  • 88.Bill Reyts: Reply to this comment
    19 Oct 2011, 12:29 pm

    @stew(stew)-85:

    He is the best in the world mate. Ask PDivvy? He said so himself. Bissie is second hand rose mate.

  • 89.stew: Reply to this comment
    19 Oct 2011, 12:35 pm

    @Bill Reyts(Gumboots)-88: Not denying that , we can all see but he cant be considered because ATM he cant start in the national side

  • 90.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    19 Oct 2011, 12:36 pm

    He is a great player and has imposed himself on the international level in this tournament. He has been described as the Welsh Brüssow or the Welsh Pocock. He is very dangerous.”
    - French skipper Thierry Dusautoir complimenting Welsh skipper Sam Warburton. No mention of McCaw?

  • 91.ufo: Reply to this comment
    19 Oct 2011, 12:38 pm

    @stew(stew)-78:

    you’re missing my point bud…

    that didn’t matter or stop everyone praising him and dissing Pdivvy for not picking him… so why should it matter now…?

  • 92.stew: Reply to this comment
    19 Oct 2011, 12:39 pm

    @Sasuke(Sasuke)-90: McCaw is being given a special award , player of the decade – cheaper that way , less certificates to print !!!! LOL

  • 93.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    19 Oct 2011, 12:42 pm

    how many TESTS has piri weepu started and FINISHED this year alone?

  • 94.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    19 Oct 2011, 12:44 pm

    Supersports team of the tournament

    Team of the tournament:

    15. Israel Dagg (NZ) 14. George North (Wal) 13. Manu Tuialigi (Eng) 12. Jamie Roberts (Wal) 11. Digby Ioane (Aus) 10. Morne Steyn (RSA) 9. Mike Phillips (Wal) 8. Toby Faletau (Wal) 7. Jerome Kaino (NZ) 6. Sam Walburton (Wal) 5. Victor Matfield (RSA) 4. Brad Thorn (NZ) 3. Owen Franks (NZ) 2. Bismarck du Plessis (RSA) 1. Tony Woodcock (NZ).

  • 95.stew: Reply to this comment
    19 Oct 2011, 12:45 pm

    @Transformation(Transformation)-93: I told you he gives a good haka – must count for somethin !

  • 96.mshiniwami: Reply to this comment
    19 Oct 2011, 12:45 pm

    @>^..^< katman(katman)-87:

    Yep he did,but Dusuatoir was ripped apart vs AB’s,worst game ever seen him play.

    Bonnaire aint a fav of mine,a bit of a lightweight for me-not a true bruiser for a blindside. Reminds me of Selborne Boome/Gerrie Brits-never understood hype around those dudes.

  • 97.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    19 Oct 2011, 12:48 pm

    @stew(stew)-92: lol

  • 98.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    19 Oct 2011, 12:52 pm

    @mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-96: Those players were very mobile and athelitic. Good in line-outs too. I agree Bonnaire is decent, nothing special but he gets through a ton of work and always puts his body on the line.

  • 99.ufo: Reply to this comment
    19 Oct 2011, 12:52 pm

    @Transformation(Transformation)-86:

    hehehe… so i’ve got up your nose then have i…?

    okay… :roll:

    you’re so off the mark it’s funny… if anyone is on a high horse trying to prove anything it’s you…

    was merely posing the question… where are all the people who universally praised bissy when it came to nominating, discussing or whatever they do to come up with these names…?

    if you don’t accept my opinion or question…? tough t!tt… scroll on by…

  • 100.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    19 Oct 2011, 12:59 pm

    @ufo(ufo)-99: don’t flatter yourself. :D

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