World Player of the Year 2018 - UPDATED

Nominees Announced:

Beauden Barrett
Jonathan Sexton
Malcolm Marx
Faf de Klerk
Reiko Ioane

https://www.balls.ie/rugby/johnny-sexton-award-400031

Surprised to see Barrett make the list but all others not really unexpected. Sexton's to lose?

Previous article:

Young Player of the Year Nominees:

https://www.world.rugby/news/374327
Jordan Larmour (Ireland)
APHIWE DYANTYI (SOUTH AFRICA)
KARL TU’INUKUAFE (NEW ZEALAND)

Collapse2005 wrote:...As per usual the winner will be announced after the November internationals so good performances in Nov may sway the result...

We looked at this before, although I can't find the link. Matches in the November internationals aren't taken into account for the awards.

EDIT: This was mentioned in last year's awards. "The award winners were selected by an independent panel, who voted on every match from the Six Nations through to the start of the November internationals. "

Rugby Fan wrote:

Collapse2005 wrote:...As per usual the winner will be announced after the November internationals so good performances in Nov may sway the result...

We looked at this before, although I can't find the link. Matches in the November internationals aren't taken into account for the awards.

Ok updated accordingly.

Half the best six players in the world are from Ireland? Youre headed for a fall guns, you just cant see it. Seen it many, many times myself from others preaching similar. Time will tell, as it usually does. And where are your great backrowers? None mentioned here. Hmm... perhaps cos theyre all plodders?

Barrett has played the individual stand out test of the year so will be the only one to hog all the votes for a test and, unlike Sexton, had already won this title despite playing some poor matches. 2017 anyone? So you havent worked out how these are won clearly huh?

Retallick is the best player in world rugby and could find his way in off the eventual shortlist and final vote.

Ioane would be favoured over Sexton at this point. Sexton...is Sexton. Hes had another...Sexton year, like others hes never won this award in. Whats different?

They tend to go for standouts, not consistency of play.

Pocock, Marx and Du Toit are the standouts of the Boks and Aussies though as a number 8 Pocock needs favouable judging.

Codie Taylor is worth mentioning as well, has played some outstanding try creating moments this year. Runs, long passes, tries off the wing. As is Dyantyi, a big future.

Taylorman wrote:Half the best six players in the world are from Ireland? Youre headed for a fall guns, you just cant see it. Seen it many, many times myself from others preaching similar. Time will tell, as it usually does. And where are your great backrowers? None mentioned here. Hmm... perhaps cos theyre all plodders?

Barrett has played the individual stand out test of the year so will be the only one to hog all the votes for a test and, unlike Sexton, had already won this title despite playing some poor matches. 2017 anyone? So you havent worked out how these are won clearly huh?

Retallick is the best player in world rugby and could find his way in off the eventual shortlist and final vote.

Ioane would be favoured over Sexton at this point. Sexton...is Sexton. Hes had another...Sexton year, like others hes never won this award in. Whats different?

They tend to go for standouts, not consistency of play.

Pocock, Marx and Du Toit are the standouts of the Boks and Aussies though as a number 8 Pocock needs favouable judging.

Codie Taylor is worth mentioning as well, has played some outstanding try creating moments this year. Runs, long passes, tries off the wing. As is Dyantyi, a big future.

Back row players not considered because they have all been injured too often. Jordi Murphy 4th choice played the whole summer tour.

Which of the three Irish players dont deserve to be shortlisted?

Sexton or Murray.... just has to be or there is absolutely no incentive to be in any bloody team but the one dressed in Black.

There has been one other occasion when Player of the year was a mockery - even the recipient was embarrassed.

Sexton or Murray it is..................... or Furlong.

Collapse2005 wrote:

Taylorman wrote:Half the best six players in the world are from Ireland? Youre headed for a fall guns, you just cant see it. Seen it many, many times myself from others preaching similar. Time will tell, as it usually does. And where are your great backrowers? None mentioned here. Hmm... perhaps cos theyre all plodders?

Barrett has played the individual stand out test of the year so will be the only one to hog all the votes for a test and, unlike Sexton, had already won this title despite playing some poor matches. 2017 anyone? So you havent worked out how these are won clearly huh?

Retallick is the best player in world rugby and could find his way in off the eventual shortlist and final vote.

Ioane would be favoured over Sexton at this point. Sexton...is Sexton. Hes had another...Sexton year, like others hes never won this award in. Whats different?

They tend to go for standouts, not consistency of play.

Pocock, Marx and Du Toit are the standouts of the Boks and Aussies though as a number 8 Pocock needs favouable judging.

Codie Taylor is worth mentioning as well, has played some outstanding try creating moments this year. Runs, long passes, tries off the wing. As is Dyantyi, a big future.

Back row players not considered because they have all been injured too often. Jordi Murphy 4th choice played the whole summer tour.

Which of the three Irish players dont deserve to be shortlisted?

Did all three have a better year than Cody Taylor? Du Toit? Diyantyi? Whitelock? Aaron Smith? Ben Smith? Do none of those deserve to be shortlisted?

Easy game this. You see nothing in being Irish, picking 50% of the likely 6 from Ireland, the second ranked team, and one from the first? Hmmm.

You claim we dont watch enough NH rugby, yet the RC standout, Du Toit, you knew little about. The last six POTY have come from the SH, including the two years England and Ireland had their best runs for ages, in one case, ever, yet still no POTY? Yet here we are again, the NH players are better? Okay then.

You yourself have said you don't follow nh rugby nor know he players Taylor. Don't blame others for that.

Theres a diff between not following it closely and not following it at all, especially when youre going to write a best player of the year article up. You could have gleaned what guns got from the SH effort from a few words posted here. If youre going to write an article, at least know what youre talking about. North havent won the thing in six years. For me, I would want to know why, but no, guns just wants to put his little irish thing out there and pay complimentary comment to the probable winners of the thing again.

For my money Barrett and Retallick still stand out as the best players in world rugby but I think if you're selecting a World XV atm Tadhg Furlong is the easiest name to pick. What a couple of years he has had - if a tighthead is ever going to win this award it's got to be him.

Taylorman wrote:

Collapse2005 wrote:

Taylorman wrote:Half the best six players in the world are from Ireland? Youre headed for a fall guns, you just cant see it. Seen it many, many times myself from others preaching similar. Time will tell, as it usually does. And where are your great backrowers? None mentioned here. Hmm... perhaps cos theyre all plodders?

Barrett has played the individual stand out test of the year so will be the only one to hog all the votes for a test and, unlike Sexton, had already won this title despite playing some poor matches. 2017 anyone? So you havent worked out how these are won clearly huh?

Retallick is the best player in world rugby and could find his way in off the eventual shortlist and final vote.

Ioane would be favoured over Sexton at this point. Sexton...is Sexton. Hes had another...Sexton year, like others hes never won this award in. Whats different?

They tend to go for standouts, not consistency of play.

Pocock, Marx and Du Toit are the standouts of the Boks and Aussies though as a number 8 Pocock needs favouable judging.

Codie Taylor is worth mentioning as well, has played some outstanding try creating moments this year. Runs, long passes, tries off the wing. As is Dyantyi, a big future.

Back row players not considered because they have all been injured too often. Jordi Murphy 4th choice played the whole summer tour.

Which of the three Irish players dont deserve to be shortlisted?

Did all three have a better year than Cody Taylor? Du Toit? Diyantyi? Whitelock? Aaron Smith? Ben Smith? Do none of those deserve to be shortlisted?

Easy game this. You see nothing in being Irish, picking 50% of the likely 6 from Ireland, the second ranked team, and one from the first? Hmmm.

You claim we dont watch enough NH rugby, yet the RC standout, Du Toit, you knew little about. The last six POTY have come from the SH, including the two years England and Ireland had their best runs for ages, in one case, ever, yet still no POTY? Yet here we are again, the NH players are better? Okay then.

Yes all three had better years than those players. You are only saying Du Toit because Billtong brought him up otherwise you wouldnt have a clue how well he played. You thought Etzebeth was a stand out for the Boks. Diyanti had a good championship but so did Stockdale and Leavy have great six nations but arent established enough yet so I left them out.

I might have chosen Whitelock if he didnt look like he was about to fall asleep all the time. Good player but world player of the year, dont think so. Aaron Smith was outshone by Faf de Klerk in SA games so Faf probably deserves to be shortlisted first. Likewise Marx was better than Cody Taylor.

I think most would agree with that and the best chance of winning the award in NH rugby. Easily the most certain pick in a xv from the NH, retallick the south. Barrett won it last year off his very good tests, you dont get marks against for poor ones. But when it comes to picking from the final shortlist I think it gets very subjective and they go for the one who best represents excellence for the year. Thats why barretts still likely in it. No one player a better test than his against oz. that was a once in a decade performance. No one else can say that.

Collapse2005 wrote:

Taylorman wrote:

Collapse2005 wrote:

Taylorman wrote:Half the best six players in the world are from Ireland? Youre headed for a fall guns, you just cant see it. Seen it many, many times myself from others preaching similar. Time will tell, as it usually does. And where are your great backrowers? None mentioned here. Hmm... perhaps cos theyre all plodders?

Barrett has played the individual stand out test of the year so will be the only one to hog all the votes for a test and, unlike Sexton, had already won this title despite playing some poor matches. 2017 anyone? So you havent worked out how these are won clearly huh?

Retallick is the best player in world rugby and could find his way in off the eventual shortlist and final vote.

Ioane would be favoured over Sexton at this point. Sexton...is Sexton. Hes had another...Sexton year, like others hes never won this award in. Whats different?

They tend to go for standouts, not consistency of play.

Pocock, Marx and Du Toit are the standouts of the Boks and Aussies though as a number 8 Pocock needs favouable judging.

Codie Taylor is worth mentioning as well, has played some outstanding try creating moments this year. Runs, long passes, tries off the wing. As is Dyantyi, a big future.

Back row players not considered because they have all been injured too often. Jordi Murphy 4th choice played the whole summer tour.

Which of the three Irish players dont deserve to be shortlisted?

Did all three have a better year than Cody Taylor? Du Toit? Diyantyi? Whitelock? Aaron Smith? Ben Smith? Do none of those deserve to be shortlisted?

Easy game this. You see nothing in being Irish, picking 50% of the likely 6 from Ireland, the second ranked team, and one from the first? Hmmm.

You claim we dont watch enough NH rugby, yet the RC standout, Du Toit, you knew little about. The last six POTY have come from the SH, including the two years England and Ireland had their best runs for ages, in one case, ever, yet still no POTY? Yet here we are again, the NH players are better? Okay then.

Yes all three had better years than those players. You are only saying Du Toit because Billtong brought him up otherwise you wouldnt have a clue how well he played. You thought Etzebeth was a stand out for the Boks. Diyanti had a good championship but so did Stockdale and Leavy have great six nations but arent established enough yet so I left them out.

I might have chosen Whitelock if he didnt look like he was about to fall asleep all the time. Good player but world player of the year, dont think so. Aaron Smith was outshone by Faf de Klerk in SA games so Faf probably deserves to be shortlisted first. Likewise Marx was better than Cody Taylor.

Oh please du toit was the standout loosie during the serues, you just had to watch it to know that. Weve been discusiing him all series you plonk.

theslosty wrote:For my money Barrett and Retallick still stand out as the best players in world rugby but I think if you're selecting a World XV atm Tadhg Furlong is the easiest name to pick. What a couple of years he has had - if a tighthead is ever going to win this award it's got to be him.

Retallick only started about 50%  of AB games this year so not sure how you could have him as player of the year.

Barrett has had a poor enough year. Sure he has had some great games but he has also had some weak enough games. Not only were his goal kicking stats the lowest of the RC is field kicking was below par and he also conceded most turn overs of all ABs and missed most tackles of all ABs in the RC. Id be very surprised if he won.

x

Taylorman wrote:

Oh please du toit was the standout loosie during the serues, you just had to watch it to know that. Weve been discusiing him all series you plonk.

Billtong has been talking about him alright. You havent a sausage though.

Taylorman wrote:I think most would agree with that and the best chance of winning the award in NH rugby. Easily the most certain pick in a xv from the NH, retallick the south. Barrett won it last year off his very good tests, you dont get marks against for poor ones. But when it comes to picking from the final shortlist I think it gets very subjective and they go for the one who best represents excellence for the year. Thats why barretts still likely in it. No one player a better test than his against oz. that was a once in a decade performance. No one else can say that.

Its called the world player of the year not the world player of one test v a Oz side in decline.

Collapse2005 wrote:

theslosty wrote:For my money Barrett and Retallick still stand out as the best players in world rugby but I think if you're selecting a World XV atm Tadhg Furlong is the easiest name to pick. What a couple of years he has had - if a tighthead is ever going to win this award it's got to be him.

Retallick only started about 50%  of AB games this year so not sure how you could have him as player of the year.

Barrett has had a poor enough year. Sure he has had some great games but he has also had some weak enough games. Not only were his goal kicking stats the lowest of the RC is field kicking was below par and he also conceded most turn overs of all ABs and missed most tackles of all ABs in the RC. Id be very surprised if he won.

You've misunderstood slightly I wouldn't pick either for POTY for the reasons you've just said. Although I wouldn't personally be too harsh on Barrett for his goalkicking - he's clearly a marvellous player and it's up to the ABs to find a more reliable goalkicker, as is stands they're asking him something of him which has never never been one of his strengths. I know that convention dictates that 10s take the placekicks but most Tier 1 nations have at least 2 capable placekickers in their team.

It’s not been a vintage year, (it rarely is heading to a World Cup) but Barrett has been the star man.

Having said that, it probably needs to be an Irish chap or Guns will have some kind of episode.

PS Please can a NZ fan give Ireland some kind of praise so Guns get his tummy tickled and sleep tonight. Only fair lads.

Collapse2005 wrote:

Taylorman wrote:

Oh please du toit was the standout loosie during the serues, you just had to watch it to know that. Weve been discusiing him all series you plonk.

Billtong has been talking about him alright. You havent a sausage though.

In other sites plonker. The reason du Toit isnt up there for player of the year in my books is hes only been in this firm recently and has a way to go to get consistency. Hes new to the top brigade in terms of recent form.

Collapse2005 wrote:

theslosty wrote:For my money Barrett and Retallick still stand out as the best players in world rugby but I think if you're selecting a World XV atm Tadhg Furlong is the easiest name to pick. What a couple of years he has had - if a tighthead is ever going to win this award it's got to be him.

Retallick only started about 50%  of AB games this year so not sure how you could have him as player of the year.

Barrett has had a poor enough year. Sure he has had some great games but he has also had some weak enough games. Not only were his goal kicking stats the lowest of the RC is field kicking was below par and he also conceded most turn overs of all ABs and missed most tackles of all ABs in the RC. Id be very surprised if he won.

He had a worse year last year and won it. Explain that then.

Kolisi has been better than du toit this year.

Cyril wrote:It’s not been a vintage year, (it rarely is heading to a World Cup).

It's been a vintage year for us. I've had a blast. The flame-throwing ticker tape celebrations never stopped.

Taylorman wrote:

Collapse2005 wrote:

theslosty wrote:For my money Barrett and Retallick still stand out as the best players in world rugby but I think if you're selecting a World XV atm Tadhg Furlong is the easiest name to pick. What a couple of years he has had - if a tighthead is ever going to win this award it's got to be him.

Retallick only started about 50%  of AB games this year so not sure how you could have him as player of the year.

Barrett has had a poor enough year. Sure he has had some great games but he has also had some weak enough games. Not only were his goal kicking stats the lowest of the RC is field kicking was below par and he also conceded most turn overs of all ABs and missed most tackles of all ABs in the RC. Id be very surprised if he won.

He had a worse year last year and won it. Explain that then.

I cant, I dont think he deserved it either but he was better last year than this year.

No 7&1/2 wrote:Kolisi has been better than du toit this year.

I agree. He stood out a bit more for me too

Taylorman wrote:

Collapse2005 wrote:

Taylorman wrote:

Oh please du toit was the standout loosie during the serues, you just had to watch it to know that. Weve been discusiing him all series you plonk.

Billtong has been talking about him alright. You havent a sausage though.

In other sites plonker. The reason du Toit isnt up there for player of the year in my books is hes only been in this firm recently and has a way to go to get consistency. Hes new to the top brigade in terms of recent form.

So why are you putting him forward for player of the year then ahead of Sexton Murray and Furlong who have all been very consistently good.

to annoy you Collapse...that's why

".............. and the winner IS.......................... .....................

Johnny Sexton!!!!!!


................ Johnny can't be with us tonight because he wasn't invited. So instead Ritchie McCaw has been asked to accept the award on his own behalf retrospectively for the one year of his career he didn't win it.
Our sincerest apologies, Ritchie.

Not starting a few games hasn't prevented players winning in the past but Retallick hasn't even had the best season of all locks in the world.

Kolisi will be up there, these things are often a bit political and crowd pleasing.

After that Barrett, Retallick, Farrell will probably make it in again. I'll be surprised if there isn't an English player as they'll want the attention from this part of the world.

No 7&1/2 wrote:Kolisi has been better than du toit this year.

Not in the RC in their respective positions he hasn't been.

It’s Parisse’s year.

Reiko with 10 tries in 7 matches and a strong year after winning most promising last year. Cant think of any team he wouldnt be selected for.

Sanchez had an excellent RC, Id rate him above Sexton this year. Far more industrious and looks a better goalkicker and for some reason has decided to love his tackling this year.

Furlong
Reiko
Marx
Pocock
Sanchez
Du Toit
sexton

for me. One to be omitted.

No 7&1/2 wrote:Kolisi has been better than du toit this year.

No chance. Kolisi has improved during the RC, starting to understand his role more as he isn't a classic fetcher.

Rassie has used him as a counter rucker and open space runner.

He did some great counter rucks and had some solid impact runs. However when it comes to performance over the six test matches Du Toit was in a class of his own with two mom performances.

I think Kolisi stilled his critics, but that is another issue alltogether.

Can't see it myself. Kolisi is the glue to that back row and makes up for the weaknesses in du toit s game. As I said reasonably balanced bar louw at 8.

yappysnap wrote:Kolisi will be up there, these things are often a bit political and crowd pleasing.

After that Barrett, Retallick, Farrell will probably make it in again. I'll be surprised if there isn't an English player as they'll want the attention from this part of the world.

You might be right as England is the only country with two judges but Farrell hasnt had a great year. Surely someone like Jonny May has been Englands top performer.

If england were to have anyone it would either be may or Launchbury.

Engine#4 wrote:Not starting a few games hasn't prevented players winning in the past but Retallick hasn't even had the best season of all locks in the world.

You are right however if you miss as many as Retallick has I dont think it would be right to win the award. I think James Ryan has had a bigger year than Retallick but Ryan is not established enough yet to win. Ryan played every test of the year too.

No 7&1/2 wrote:If england were to have anyone it would either be may or Launchbury.

Agree with that.

Taylorman wrote:Reiko with 10 tries in 7 matches and a strong year after winning most promising last year. Cant think of any team he wouldnt be selected for.

Sanchez had an excellent RC, Id rate him above Sexton this year. Far more industrious and looks a better goalkicker and for some reason has decided to love his tackling this year.

Furlong
Reiko
Marx
Pocock
Sanchez
Du Toit
sexton

for me. One to be omitted.

You can certainly make a case for all of them. Its a bit SH biased as though I agree Sanchez looked very good in particular v NZ but hasnt been consistently good as someone like murray.

World IRB nominees if collapse were to chose them, in no particular order would be:-

THE WHOLE IRELAND SQUAD.

back up would be:-

THE WHOLE LEINSTER SQUAD.


Then there's the rest.

LordDowlais wrote:World IRB nominees if collapse were to chose them, in no particular order would be:-

THE WHOLE IRELAND SQUAD.

back up would be:-

THE WHOLE LEINSTER SQUAD.


Then there's the rest.

God youre stupid. Did you read the article?

Collapse2005 wrote:

Engine#4 wrote:Not starting a few games hasn't prevented players winning in the past but Retallick hasn't even had the best season of all locks in the world.

You are right however if you miss as many as Retallick has I dont think it would be right to win the award. I think James Ryan has had a bigger year than Retallick but Ryan is not established enough yet to win. Ryan played every test of the year too.

"Established". That being a perceived criteria doesn't say much for the award in my opinion. Ryan has played what, 25+ games of rugby all year? Lost one. Stats off the charts. Beat the best club sides in Europe; Montpellier, Racing, Exeter, Saracens, Scarlets, Munster, Glasgow. Won the Grand Slam. Beat Australia, South Africa and Argentina. Man of the Match in the European final and player of the tour down under yet won't be considered because he is not a name yet.

Engine#4 wrote:

Collapse2005 wrote:

Engine#4 wrote:Not starting a few games hasn't prevented players winning in the past but Retallick hasn't even had the best season of all locks in the world.

You are right however if you miss as many as Retallick has I dont think it would be right to win the award. I think James Ryan has had a bigger year than Retallick but Ryan is not established enough yet to win. Ryan played every test of the year too.

"Established". That being a perceived criteria doesn't say much for the award in my opinion. Ryan has played what, 25+ games of rugby all year?  Lost one. Stats off the charts.  Beat the best club sides in Europe; Montpellier, Racing, Exeter, Saracens, Scarlets, Munster, Glasgow.  Won the Grand Slam. Beat Australia, South Africa and Argentina.  Man of the Match in the European final and player of the tour down under yet won't be considered because he is not a name yet.

Your logic is very solid on both. However, with respect to Ryan I don't think club performances count for these awards but you're right about his international season. The word established refers only to the fact that its his first year and that tends to put him in the young player or new comer category no? I meant he is only 22 and what he has achieved already is simply incredible. That said I very much doubt people like Taylorman have ever heard of him, which doesn't say a lot except that half the panel will also be from the SH.

Collapse2005 wrote:

Taylorman wrote:I think most would agree with that and the best chance of winning the award in NH rugby. Easily the most certain pick in a xv from the NH, retallick the south. Barrett won it last year off his very good tests, you dont get marks against for poor ones. But when it comes to picking from the final shortlist I think it gets very subjective and they go for the one who best represents excellence for the year. Thats why barretts still likely in it. No one player a better test than his against oz. that was a once in a decade performance. No one else can say that.

Its called the world player of the year not the world player of one test v a Oz side in decline.

And what was it called last year when he had crap tests vs the Lions and won it still?.chopped liver?

He had one brilliant test this year, better than anyone, and a few very good ones, same as last year. No difference. Hey, Mccaw and Carter won heaps of them when all your sides were well in decline, so thats not a measure either.

Collapse2005 wrote:

LordDowlais wrote:World IRB nominees if collapse were to chose them, in no particular order would be:-

THE WHOLE IRELAND SQUAD.

back up would be:-

THE WHOLE LEINSTER SQUAD.


Then there's the rest.

God youre stupid. Did you read the article?

When the ABs wipe the floor with Ireland in their own back yard this November it’s going to be fun winding you up

Engine#4 wrote:

Collapse2005 wrote:

Engine#4 wrote:Not starting a few games hasn't prevented players winning in the past but Retallick hasn't even had the best season of all locks in the world.

You are right however if you miss as many as Retallick has I dont think it would be right to win the award. I think James Ryan has had a bigger year than Retallick but Ryan is not established enough yet to win. Ryan played every test of the year too.

"Established". That being a perceived criteria doesn't say much for the award in my opinion. Ryan has played what, 25+ games of rugby all year?  Lost one. Stats off the charts.  Beat the best club sides in Europe; Montpellier, Racing, Exeter, Saracens, Scarlets, Munster, Glasgow.  Won the Grand Slam. Beat Australia, South Africa and Argentina.  Man of the Match in the European final and player of the tour down under yet won't be considered because he is not a name yet.

Who isnt a name?

Comparing Ryan to Retallick is a joke. So why even go there.

That was a bit of a joke alright but he was definitely better last year than this year. His cross field kicking, chips over the top, field kicking in general were all on the money last year. This year they have been wayward as has his goal kicking compared to last. He actually kicked well in the Lions series.

If you look at the stats for the rugby championship he also appeared on the list of most missed tackles and most turnovers this year for NZ so for me he was definitely better last year.

ebop wrote:

Collapse2005 wrote:

LordDowlais wrote:World IRB nominees if collapse were to chose them, in no particular order would be:-

THE WHOLE IRELAND SQUAD.

back up would be:-

THE WHOLE LEINSTER SQUAD.


Then there's the rest.

God youre stupid. Did you read the article?

When the ABs wipe the floor with Ireland in their own back yard this November it’s going to be fun winding you up

God help you if you lose you will have to crawl back to your mum's teat for comfort.

Taylorman wrote:

Engine#4 wrote:

Collapse2005 wrote:

Engine#4 wrote:Not starting a few games hasn't prevented players winning in the past but Retallick hasn't even had the best season of all locks in the world.

You are right however if you miss as many as Retallick has I dont think it would be right to win the award. I think James Ryan has had a bigger year than Retallick but Ryan is not established enough yet to win. Ryan played every test of the year too.

"Established". That being a perceived criteria doesn't say much for the award in my opinion. Ryan has played what, 25+ games of rugby all year?  Lost one. Stats off the charts.  Beat the best club sides in Europe; Montpellier, Racing, Exeter, Saracens, Scarlets, Munster, Glasgow.  Won the Grand Slam. Beat Australia, South Africa and Argentina.  Man of the Match in the European final and player of the tour down under yet won't be considered because he is not a name yet.

Who isnt a name?

Comparing Ryan to Retallick is a joke. So why even go there.

Its only a joke if you don't know who James Ryan is. Not sure anyone compared the two though.