Crystal Ball Gazing. IRB Player of the year

With the RWC only 99 days from starting that means we are only 140 odd days away from the final international of the year.
Who do you think will come away with the IRBs top individual honour?

couldn't say before the tri nations and end of the S15 - McCaw and Carter as usual will be candidates new names could be SBW or Quade Cooper depending on how they go in both competitions. Can't see a NH player getting it - maybe SOB and Ashton (yawn) will get on the short list

Probably what i probably mean Goosesteeper is that the RWC player of the tournie will most likey be IRB player of the year. Hence the crystal ball! Field is open.

Gunner wrote:Probably what i probably mean Goosesteeper is that the RWC player of the tournie will most likey be IRB player of the year. Hence the crystal ball! Field is open.

Henson then.

Carter. He'll be the player of the tournament and the tournament top scorer. I also think the All Blacks will take the Tri-Nations. Bumper year ahead for them I reckon.

If NZ win the rwc then I reckon McCaw takes the honour. Though the award has gone to some surprised winners in the past so, just to put it out there.... Dusatoir... after Frances exploits in the RWC.

Pocock maybe? An Aussie player has never won the award. A good WC and they may win one. Quade Cooper probably not though, an OH should be able to tackle and kick goals to be considered.

I'm gonna back McCaw to take his 4th award. Pocock might be another one depending on how Australia do.

Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler wrote:

Gunner wrote:Probably what i probably mean Goosesteeper is that the RWC player of the tournie will most likey be IRB player of the year. Hence the crystal ball! Field is open.

Henson then.

Egbertus O'Callaghan (Namiba, Hooker. honest to god) Never seen him play but with a name like that............!

SBW. Suspect he'll be the star in NZ walking away with the WC.

bathmad wrote:SBW. Suspect he'll be the star in NZ walking away with the WC.

Thats a good call actually. He's a media darling too.

JOC

Giteau.

Glas a du wrote:Giteau.

Really? I don't see it.

In 2007, Contepomi and Hernandez were both nominated and Habana won- it's going to be heavily dependent on which teams do well in the RWC and the award will go to the best player of the winning team unless there is an absolutely outstanding candidate from elsewhere.

Agreed - not Giteau. He's not even guaranteed to start when Cooper and Barnes are fit.

From Australia the most likely candidates for me are Pocock, Cooper and Beale.

I still can't see past it being an All Black this year, especially with Lievremont and P Villy taking two competitors out of the equation.

I'm going with Carter, but can easily see it being McCaw.

Dan Carter

Cant see McCaw being given ANOTHER!

If the ABs win the WC (which they probably will) then they with no doubt have player of the year.

Carter is most likely, although SBW and Smith are also possibles.

If NZ win it will be McCaw or Carter, and even if they don't then those two will still be on the list.

I would hazard that the shortlist would come from the below:

From Aus - Cooper, Pocock, O'Conner or Beale

From NZ - McCaw, Carter, SBW or Read

From SA - B Du Plessis, Alberts or Fourie

From England - Ashton, Palmer, Lawes or Youngs

From France - Harinordiquy, Dusatoir or Medard

From Ireland - SOB, BOD or Heaslip

Outsiders from smaller nations - A Tuilagi, Tong'uhia, Parisse, Fernandez Lobbe, Gray, Hook or Warburton

From that list these are the most likely winners:

SBW
Read
Carter
A Tuilagi
Pocock
Beale
Ashton

It all depends upon the RWC.

Jeez, Killer B, Scots and Welsh will love being referred to us as "smaller nations" - expect a flurry of protest from north of the Tweed and west of the Severn

http://www.irb.com/rankings/full.html

Carter no doubt.

Most deffo a Cantabrian NZer,but I'm picking Kieran Read in a tight finish from SBW,Dan Carter and Richie McCaw.

Alot of posters on here saying McCaw will take the player of the year.

Hmmmmmmm Maybe, but seeing that McCaw is injured at the moment there is no garuntee that he will Finish playing in the rugby world cup. So i would not be too eager to place him in the race for the title.

what about ben Foden?

Ma'a Nonu.
After 4 months of rugby he starting to find some match fitness.
By September he will be peaking

Sam Whitelock

Gunner

And yet he's just been released by the Hurricanes. Can't understand it myself.

just putting it out there for the welsh players, shane (i can wish)
but i seriously think if the back row have a good WC for wales they may have a slim shout at being on the shortlist

The nominees were selected by the IRB Awards independent panel of judges, chaired by Rugby World Cup winning captain John Eales, following a year-long review of all Test matches and thorough consultation and deliberation.
Just a by the way on how the PotY is chosen.

From the IRB website on last year's selection:

"The panel comprises some of the biggest names in the Game with Will Greenwood, Gavin Hastings, Raphaël Ibanez, Francois Pienaar, Agustín Pichot, Scott Quinnell, Tana Umaga, Paul Wallace and Eales winning over 500 caps and boasting four Rugby World Cup winners medals between them.

"The panel watch every major international match throughout the year, providing comprehensive analysis on individual players and casting their vote based on performance and number of appearances," said Eales."

O'Connor for me so far. Has a touch of Gold for someone so young.

Does it include the World Cup games? It includes the AI from last year so I doubt it.

As it's based on test rugby can't see it being a NH player so most likely a kiwi or wallaby depending on outcome of RWC. Don't see why all senior games club and international are not taken into account though.

For a bolter from NZ Zac Guilford. Deceptively fast, intuitive and an eye for gaps, exposing space and taking opportunities.

The perfect player for the minor pool games and could go so well there might be too good to be ignored.

Has mostly been on winning sides throughout his career to date and the type to make a difference in the big tight matches.

But if it doesnt include WC matches then not likely, but who's counting.

Taylorman wrote:But if it doesnt include WC matches then not likely, but who's counting.

The judges I'm guessing

ruggerbyplayer wrote:Gunner

And yet he's just been released by the Hurricanes. Can't understand it myself.

Doesnt seem to fit into new coaches plan.
Hammet (new coach) seems to want to get rid of some of the older players and start afresh.
Ma'a would be a great signing for any team. You'd get a lot of rugby out of him.

for people who are suggesting ashton, what has he done apart from score a few tries against italy at twickers????

i am sorry not really that much to talk about.

to be honest i think it will be a SH lock out, and atm i can only see the likes of warbs, o'brien, sexton or gray possibly making it