Shortlist for player of the year 2013

Who do you think should be on the short list. Every year the IRB selects a shortlist for international player of the year. They look at the form of players for the calendar year and give the top 3 players for each game points (3, 2 or 1 points). They account for things like the quality of the opposition and create a shortlist of about 5 players.

Obviously I can't be bothered going through the games. I'd suggest nominating 2 players in each of the following groups.
1. NH forwards
2. NH backs
3. SH forwards
4. SH backs
With the restriction you can't have more than 1 player of a nationality in any group. Bear in mind if they missed a series through injury it'll be hard to justify.

Here are my pics:

NH forwards: Warburton (Wales), Parling (England)
NH Backs: Halfpenny (Wales), O'Driscoll (Ireland)
SH Forwards: Reid (NZ), Etzebeth (SA)
SH Backs: B Smith (NZ), de Villiers (SA)

A bit of guess to get things going. Your thoughts and list.

I'm guessing Halfpenny is leading. But the end of year tour will determine it.

Keiron Reid. The end.

Thats easy the best SH 4 bc, any one could win it with 1/2p probably shading them at the mo because of the 3rd test lions.

To be fair 1/2 p's had a great year so far. Problem is I'm watched a lot of AB's games and everything else is a bit vague for me at them moment. Still haven't seen the this morning's game. Woke up and decided to sleep (crap). Know the result now and will have to watch it at my leisure.

For NH- Halfpenny, North, A Jones, Parling

If he's that indisputable rodders you should know his name is Kieran Read.  For NZ how do you separate Read and Smith? Both have been crucial for NZ.

Halfpenny deserves the plaudits. It's a nice selection of players bc and I wouldn't want to pick one. The selection criteria no doubt will throw up some un fathomable choice.

I'd be surprised if Wales had more than one player on the list. Halfpenny will be there for definite. I'm not so sure there has been anyone else in the NH to standout enough (Farrell?!).

From the SH; Etzebeth, Read.
Ben Smith, De Villiers.

It kinda picks itself doesn't it?

These awards are always done subjectively.

The Lions series will be seen as the most important event this year, the winner will come from that series, Halfpenny is a shoe in.

I would say the following

Lee halfpenny
george north
Ben smith
Kieran read
Jean de Villiers.
chris Robshaw

1 month ago I said it was halfpenny and everyone else... Now I'm not so sure... Smith has been so strong... It's not just his tries, his all over play is amazing.

Smith, Read And halfpenny now..... Whoever has the standout AIs out of those 3 will win.

Definitely not Warburton! IMO. I'm a big fan, but he's done little this year apart from captaincy. His play has been just ok.

Kieran Read then halfpenny then B Smith.