IRB Player of the year

First topic message reminder :

Simple question, who will it be this year? If not McCaw then who else might be in contention?

Richard McCaw having lead the ABs to victory in the inaugural RC, including a 17 match undefeated streak and probably an AI whitewash is once again the front runner for the annual prize having been piped to the finish by the incredible Thierry Dusatoir last year. He was also the only nominee from the NH last year.

Other outstanding performers for the ABs this year include Cory Jane, Kieran Reid, Dan Carter and Israel Dagg. Personally I think Dagg has been a revelation and probably shades Rob Kearney as the best full back in world rugby.

Bryan Habana (SA) and Lobbe (ARG) both preformed well in the RC. Habanna being the RC top try scorer and Lobbe did a good job as captain of Argentina in a very respectable performance and draw v SA in their first ever RC and a win over Wales in Cardiff.

Australia, England, Ireland and Scotland have no real stand out contenders although Rob Kearney was named ERC player of the year he has been injured for the whole AIs and summer tour and therefore is surely not in contention.

From France Julien Malzieu had a very good six nations but France have been hot and cold in 2012 so it is hard to pick any stand out performers. Personally I think Wesley Fofana has been impressive and 2013 may be his year.

From Wales Dan Lydiate was named six nations player of the tournament, Cuthbert, North and halfpenny were all also outstanding. However, it is unlikely to be a Welsh player given their summer tour and AI record has been quite poor.

Other facts:
BOD is the only player to get three nominations and not to win the award.
No Australian has ever won player of the year.
Ireland is the most nominated NH country.
Mike Blair is the only Scot to have been nominated.
Keith Wood is the only non back row or back to have won the award.
Jan Serfontein beat off Irelands JJ Hanrahan to win 2012 young player of the year.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/best-of-sport-analysis/news/article.cfm?c_id=1502180&objectid=10850176
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IRB_International_Player_of_the_Year

Again though.... people are just in awe of Alberts due to his size.

They see a guy who is 120kg in the backrow and makes good carriers.... and then they forget the guy is also the man with the most missed tackles in SR last year.

He has a habit of that unfortunately... last saturday he missed quite a few again.

It would probably serve him well to lose maybe 5kg of bulk.

I'm not sure a lot of missed tackles is necessarily a bad thing with some players. It means he's going for them and though you'd have to analyse what the problem is he's obviously having a go a lot. Sure is a train though. If we had him at 6 we'd be complete.

He's not getting bounced.... but he does tend to get blitzed like props do... probably due to his excess bulk. If he dropped just a little weight he wouldn't comprimise his carrying ability but his fitness would improve.

Its about turning him into a better all round player... but still one of the best the boks have. When Bismarck and Schalk come back everyone should watch out.

fa0019 wrote:He's not getting bounced.... but he does tend to get blitzed like props do... probably due to his excess bulk. If he dropped just a little weight he wouldn't comprimise his carrying ability but his fitness would improve.

Its about turning him into a better all round player... but still one of the best the boks have. When Bismarck and Schalk come back everyone should watch out.

Careful Fa, we've heard this 'when xxxxx comes back several times' and its never really ever eventuated. No ones come back and played as well as previously. Fourie was one that really wasnt up to it when he got back. Burger, Bismarck, Smith have all been out for so long- two with near two year long injuries? Its a big call and not only do they have to be as good as they were, they now have to be better, and I dont think Burger can be. Bismarck perhaps but hes very injury prone. Bit like our Kahui.

This one's doing the rounds on Facebook

Spoiler:

Smith ain't coming back thats for sure... totally agree.. even club rugby.

Bismarck has years left in him and perhaps should be the next captain. He was around for most of the season.

Burger.... I honestly believe he'll be back to his best. Not as a crash test dummy but as a smarter operator... remember he's still youngish and would have been captain had he not got a bad knee injury. He was player of the year in SA in 2011 so its not form or age which would let him down.

Very difficult with knee injuries though I agree... once they go, they go. The news around Cape Town though is that he is fit and ready for the new season.

Michael Lynagh,Thomas Casteignede and Justin Marshall should surely be on the panel too?

You should count your lucky stars none of these guys are on the panel!

Agree with bismarck and hope so with Burger- probably my favourite Bok of the last ten years to watch against the ABs.

yeah Schalk is a legend, certainly for me the best bok since Du Randt. Its his total commitment which made him so admired. Met him a few times and he has always come across as a great chap as well, quite humble... I guess thats what happens when you're constantly told "you're tough, but you're pappie was tougher".

A bit like Wilkinson in that he threw his body around too much and has paid for it in long injury spells.

As a kiwi I'm sure you want him back to his best.... you guys need a genuine rival and I think only a full strength bok side will give it to you over the next 2 years.

Australia have shown they can be there or thereabouts against NZ as well. They after all broke the consecutive victories for NZ.

France touring 3 matches couldn't come at a better time for NZ. This tour up north has been disappointing in terms of sides making us work for a victory. Maybe tomorrow will be different as I imagine energy levels for many ABs will not be at optimum level.

If SA and Australia recover from their injuries quickly, I think it's ideal preparation for 2015 because they will bring the best and worst out of us and it's the latter in particular from which you learn more.