European Player of the Year 2012 - cast your vote

Shortlist of candidates for ERC European Player of the Year 2012:

Stephen Ferris (Ulster)
Rob Kearney (Leinster)
Ruan Pienaar (Ulster)
Jonathan Sexton (Leinster)
Jonny Wilkinson (RC Toulon)


Vote your pick and give your reasons.

Even though I'm an Ulster fan I went for Kearney, he's been sensational this season, Pienaar a close second.

Kearney - back to his Lions best this season, dominant in every Leinster game.

It is between Kearney and Pienaar for me. Pienaar is just pure class, and he has been vital to Ulster. Without him, we would not be where we are now. However, I think I too will vote for Kearney, as his form has just been sensational. He was world class back in 2009, however I would suggest he is a MUCH more complete player now than he was back then. I hope he continues to shine for both Leinster and Ireland.

Sexton. By a mile. Kearney makes some nice moves, but Sexton runs Leinster's HC show. Has done for 4 years and 3 Finals now. No contest.

Pienaar - a distant 2nd, before the Big One. It is between those two, to decide this Final and this award. Both more crucial to their respective clubs success, than any other players in it.

Ferris, Chilli and Wilko, are just making up the numbers. Meedja hype.

It's neck and neck between Pienaar and Kearney at the moment the winning team will contain the winner. I've gone for Kearney.

Haven't watched Toulon at all this year but all the other players deserve to be on the list.

Kearney for me!

Is it based on HC and Amlin games or all games for club or all for club and country

It is just based on the Heineken Cup games I think.

Brendan wrote:Is it based on HC and Amlin games or all games for club or all for club and country

The former.

Depends who wins the HC final.
If its Leinster it will be one of their players, if it is Ulster it will be one of their players

Pienaar

Jonathan Sexton. I think he's been excellent for them.

I went Kearney. He has become such an all round player. I don't think Pienaar had as much influence in the pool stages as people think. he wasn't kicking for iHumph until the 3rd game or something.

Kearney has 6 tries so far in the comp.

Sexton.

I have gone for Pienaar. All outstanding and quality players but Pienaar has been a shining light for me this year. He has probably had more individual influence in matches than any of the others.

Bit odd that they've gone for Wilkinson when the French player of the season was given to his team mate Steffon Armitage.

I've not voted as I don't think Ferris or Wilko should be on the list based on Euro performances this year. Kearney has been rock solid but I'd like to see a bit more creation in a full back. Pienaar and Sexton have both been outstanding for their teams.

formerly known as Sam wrote:Bit odd that they've gone for Wilkinson when the French player of the season was given to his team mate Steffon Armitage.

I've not voted as I don't think Ferris or Wilko should be on the list based on Euro performances this year. Kearney has been rock solid but I'd like to see a bit more creation in a full back. Pienaar and Sexton have both been outstanding for their teams.

Ferris has been immense in the HC this year his defence against Munster was nothing short of superhuman on 1 good ankle even seen some kicking from him but all round hes been on top form

Voted Pienaar myself hes been almost flawless over the whole campaign was tempted to vote Kearney for his drop goal in the semi alone but it may be as tight as who edges it in the final

Ferris has been immense in the HC this year his defence against Munster was nothing short of superhuman on 1 good ankle even seen some kicking from him but all round hes been on top form

If I was going to put forward an Ulster backrower it would have been Henry, he is everywhere and it's his hardwork that makes Ferris and Wannenburg look good. Someone on another post said Henry was the leading tackler in the HEC and I can believe it.

Sam I dont doubt it and Henrys another who has been fantastic I think the biggest problem is a lot of what he does goes unseen. The Edinburgh match I think highlighted it as he slows down a lot of opposition ball

I'm quite surprised Wilkinson made in on the list, surely there is a plethora of players who have been better this season?

Very close call between Kearney and Sexton for me. Totally irrationally, but I've gone for Kearney with that drop goal swinging the vote!

Sam I dont doubt it and Henrys another who has been fantastic I think the biggest problem is a lot of what he does goes unseen. The Edinburgh match I think highlighted it as he slows down a lot of opposition ball

As a Tigers fan it was Henry and Tuohy that impressed the most from the Ulster pack. Ferris was dire at Welford Road and good at Ravenhill but even at Ravenhill I thought the other two backrowers were bigger thorns in our side. Particularly with Poite giving Tigers nothing Henry had an absolute field day and really targeted Youngs after the Tigers try (realising quickly Youngs can undo any defence if given time on the ball). I'd have Henry over the other two backrowers at Tigers in a heartbeat.

think sexton has actually done more for leinster this season than kearns. On recent form alone, maybe kearney would get it (keep in mind it was sexton that came up with the play to set up the leinster try v clermont). Taking the whole championship into account, think it should go to sexton, he's got man of the match more times than kearney, and is ahead in the Amlin Opta Index

its gotta be Sexton i think, Pienaar helped ulster win s.f. through his amazing long range kicking game, was essential in that game. However, Sexton has been without doubt the most influential player across the whole tournament. Has a higher kicking % than Pienaar, makes more tackles, is central to the best attack in europe by far. There's no arguing with the amlin index, has both Kearney and Sexton far ahead of Pienaar. Pienaar is the best in the touranament at punishing mistakes, but thats it really

http://www.ercrugby.com/eng/news/18320.php

Kearney gets it.

Well done Rob!

Just seen that Dodger

Well deserved think after Saturday there was no doubt hes been in top form at all levels this year best full back in world rugby

Lets hope he keeps it going in NZ

Rob.....

Oh yeah and up the wee County !!!

Does anyone find tha Wilkinson sticks out like a sore *ahem thumb on hat list?!

Ive seen him a lot in the amlin, and tbh wasn't very impressed.

Do you think his being there was "engineered" to ensure interest from or English friends?

Good man Rob, personally I think it was the right call and the poll does too I guess.

Great tournament

Who got player of the tournament in 2009 and 2010 actually?

Rocky in 2009 in any case....

Presume it was a Frenchman in 10....

pete (buachaill on eirne) wrote:Who got player of the tournament in 2009 and 2010 actually?

last year was the first year for the ERC player of the year

Rob Kearney has won European player of the year 2012.

http://www.espnscrum.com/heineken-cup-2011-12/rugby/story/164413.html

Congratulations to him, he's deserved it. Played some brilliant rugby and been on top form for much of the season.

I went with Sexton,

Kearney and Pienaar have the commentators wetting themselves but for me Sexton is a step above every other player on the pitch, when on form.

Well done to Kearney though, he does catch high balls very well.

yappysnap wrote:I went with Sexton,

Kearney and Pienaar have the commentators wetting themselves but for me Sexton is a step above every other player on the pitch, when on form.

Well done to Kearney though, he does catch high balls very well.

What Yappy said.

I'm delighted Kearney had such a good season,,it should go some way to making up for missing out on the last 2 finals.