What is going on with the MOTM awards??

I was going to write my own opinion on this, but Newstalk ZB have expressed everything I was going to say. It also explains why such random MOTM decisions have been made! Joe Launchbury being awarded yesterday was just an embarrassment.

Nigel Yalden wrote:The system by which the Man of the Match is chosen during Rugby World Cup games has to be scrapped immediately.

Joe Launchbury … Man of the Match for the England and Australia game?

Are you for real?

What game were these people watching this morning?

It sure as heck wasn’t the one that saw Bernard Foley score 28 of Australia’s 33 points, including two tries in a cool, calm and controlling performance at first five.

And there’s no way on this here green earth that it was the same game in which David Pocock was his irrepressible self around the field in all aspects of play, as is his ominous want.

The man of the match is not and should not be a popularity contest.

It should recognise the player who had the most influence and/or impact on the outcome of the game by playing at a higher level than the other 29 men on the field for the same period he is.

But no, World Rugby have to have World Audio Team commentators select three players with a full twenty minutes still to be played in the match so people can vote during a thirteen minute period from the 62nd to the 75th minute of the game via various social media portals.

Why?

They will probably have us believe that it’s all about fan engagement and making them feel part of the tournament.

One suspects it’s more about an obscenely large sponsorship deal and marketing campaign.

If I was MasterCard’s publicity people, I’d be having serious reservations about being associated with a process that can deliver such an embarrassing result.

However the likelihood of those folk A) having a clue about rugby B) having morals to understand the disservice being done to the true man of the match and C) actually giving a toss about any of the afore mentioned is most probably non-existent.

Yesterday in Cardiff was only marginally better.

Now I like me some Mamuka Gorgodze, but he wasn’t the best player on Millennium Stadium.

Big fella wasn’t even the best player in his own team for starters.

The midfield combination of Tamaz Mtchedlidze and Davit Katcharava made some wonderful defensive plays; making key decisions to help negate and stifle the All Blacks backline presented a far more compelling case than Georgian captain, while there was a bloke in Georgia’s opposition who scored three tries, which was a pretty good effort too.

However that example pales in comparison to the travesty that took place at the home of English rugby today.

I repeat for the final time my earlier statement though in shorter form - the best player on the field should be recognised with the Man of the Match award.
This morning at Twickenham that did not happen in a staggeringly stupefying way.

I would of thought that the Man of the Match for last night's game would of been either Bernard Foley, or David Pocock.

I did not think that of the England players deserved Man of the Match to be honest.

It's bizarre.

Man of the Match system a travesty
NZ Herald

http://m.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/a...ectid=11523607

The system by which the Man of the Match is chosen during Rugby World Cup games has to be scrapped immediately.

Joe Launchbury ... Man of the Match for the England and Australia game?

Are you for real?

What game were these people watching this morning?

sure as heck wasn't the one that saw Bernard Foley score 28 of Australia's 33 points, including two tries in a cool, calm and controlling performance at first five.

And there's no way on this here green earth that it was the same game in which David Pocock was his irrepressible self around the field in all aspects of play, as is his ominous want.

The man of the match is not and should not be a popularity contest.

It should recognise the player who had the most influence and/or impact on the outcome of the game by playing at a higher level than the other 29 men on the field for the same period he is.

But no, World Rugby have to have World Audio Team commentators select three players with a full twenty minutes still to be played in the match so people can vote during a thirteen minute period from the 62nd to the 75th minute of the game via various social media portals.

Why?

They will probably have us believe that it's all about fan engagement and making them feel part of the tournament.

One suspects it's more about an obscenely large sponsorship deal and marketing campaign.

If I was MasterCard's publicity people, I'd be having serious reservations about being associated with a process that can deliver such an embarrassing result.

However the likelihood of those folk A) having a clue about rugby B) having morals to understand the disservice being done to the true man of the match and C) actually giving a toss about any of the afore mentioned is most probably non-existent.

Yesterday in Cardiff was only marginally better.

Now I like me some Mamuka Gorgodze, but he wasn't the best player on Millennium Stadium.

Big fella wasn't even the best player in his own team for starters.

The midfield combination of Tamaz Mtchedlidze and Davit Katcharava made some wonderful defensive plays; making key decisions to help negate and stifle the All Blacks backline presented a far more compelling case than Georgian captain, while there was a bloke in Georgia's opposition who scored three tries, which was a pretty good effort too.

However that example pales in comparison to the travesty that took place at the home of English rugby today.

I repeat for the final time my earlier statement though in shorter form - the best player on the field should be recognised with the Man of the Match award.

This morning at Twickenham that did not happen in a staggeringly stupefying way.

NIGEL YALDEN IS RADIO SPORTS RUGBY EDITOR AT THE RUGBY WORLD CUP

Hmmm, that explains it. Fan engagement! Is the game not enough for them??? Leave it to the experts/pundits or use some objective stats software like Opta!

To be honest I don't give a crap about MotM awards and would generally prefer them to be scrapped.

Hope the social media voted motm gets a burger voucher as that's all it's worth.

Sin, that article is already in the OP

I feel sorry for Joe Launchbury played his heart out and probably one of the only world class players in his side but he had a below par game. Was in the line with ben youngs for the 2 tries.

Even if fans voted the commentators putting him up there is a joke.

Lood de Jager was well deserved.... he was really standout.

I am with Hammer on this one. Does anyone care in the slightest about the MotM award? They are kind of meaningless in a 15 man-a-side game. A lock is only as good as his lifters, a number 8 needs a good scrum platform, half-backs need quality ball and the list goes on.

InjuredYetAgain wrote:I am with Hammer on this one. Does anyone care in the slightest about the MotM award? They are kind of meaningless in a 15 man-a-side game. A lock is only as good as his lifters, a number 8 needs a good scrum platform, half-backs need quality ball and the list goes on.

Well said, the props yesterday were actually key to Aus win.

The worst thing about MoM awards is they so rarely go to props. Justice for the front row union!

Notch, Props don't need fripperies and trinkets like MotM awards. All they need is smaller guys to give a kicking to, water to clear up some of the worst blood stains and many pints of revolting beer. Plus all the pies that their team-mates didn't want.
Anyway, in my experience, by way of recognising their performance props are more likely to be seen walking around with a bog-seat round their neck and a graphic, rude homemade t-shirt on.

i don't mind it when they give the award to a player from one of the minnow nations like Georgia or England

On the flip side we may well get Wales 12 Australia 42 this weekend with Rhys Priestland being MOM - I like to look at the positives, maybe I should be a coach

Well I don't mind because its strictly forbidden in Ireland for an Ulster player to get motm so at least Hendo got one yesterday.