World’s best misses out on IRB gong
November 24, 2008
The International Rugby Board's decision to hand Wales' Shane Williams its player of the year award is a sham.
Good luck to Williams, I'm sure the silverware will look grand in his rugby den
But if Williams is out and out the best and most instrumental player in world rugby then there is something seriously wrong!
That sentiment isn't based on sour grapes because Williams edged out Daniel Carter for the award.
In fact, the award is such a joke that the world's best player did not even gain a nomination.
Williams beat off the challenges of Carter, Welsh team-mate Ryan Jones, Scotland's Mike Blair and Italy's Sergio Parisse.
The first three nominations are valid, but in terms of Blair and Parisse you have got to be kidding.
Their nominations are the IRB's virtual version of a token hand-out for 'fair play'.
If you were selecting a world 15, the name Richie McCaw would be the first player chosen by most selectors.
Carter too would be right up there, as would Jones.
Williams would be in contention for one of two wing spots, but he did little in Wales' 29-9 loss to the All Blacks to back up his star-billing in the UK.
And Blair and Parisse are little more than modest players who shine through in their equally modest-performing national teams.
The judging panel who decided on Williams was convened by double World Cup-winner John Eales.
And as an outstanding former test captain, it is incredible that his inclusion didn't help with McCaw's deserved recognition by the IRB.
McCaw has arguably enjoyed his greatest season in the black jersey in 2008.
His work at openside flanker has been first-class, something highlighted by ongoing verbal attacks from opposition players and coaches about his playing style.
And then there are his outstanding leadership abilities.
Both he and the All Black coaching staff have spoken of how he has grown as a leader following last year's World Cup campaign.
His impact on the men in black was again highlighted during his three-test absence at the start of the Tri Nations through injury.
After the side recorded a hard-fought win over the Springboks in Wellington, they then suffered a marked drop off in subsequent losses to the Boks in Dunedin and the Wallabies in Sydney.
In the final two matches, the All Blacks were badly shown up both at the breakdown and in terms of leadership.
McCaw then returned to the fold and the All Blacks took on a whole new lease of life.
But somehow the 'wise' old heads at the IRB have decided that he is not among the world's five best players - in the process nominating a journeyman Scot and an Italian ahead of him.
Who do you rate as the world's best?
And do you seriously think Blair and Parisse are better players than McCaw?
Good luck to Williams, I'm sure the silverware will look grand in his rugby den
But if Williams is out and out the best and most instrumental player in world rugby then there is something seriously wrong!
That sentiment isn't based on sour grapes because Williams edged out Daniel Carter for the award.
In fact, the award is such a joke that the world's best player did not even gain a nomination.
Williams beat off the challenges of Carter, Welsh team-mate Ryan Jones, Scotland's Mike Blair and Italy's Sergio Parisse.
The first three nominations are valid, but in terms of Blair and Parisse you have got to be kidding.
Their nominations are the IRB's virtual version of a token hand-out for 'fair play'.
If you were selecting a world 15, the name Richie McCaw would be the first player chosen by most selectors.
Carter too would be right up there, as would Jones.
Williams would be in contention for one of two wing spots, but he did little in Wales' 29-9 loss to the All Blacks to back up his star-billing in the UK.
And Blair and Parisse are little more than modest players who shine through in their equally modest-performing national teams.
The judging panel who decided on Williams was convened by double World Cup-winner John Eales.
And as an outstanding former test captain, it is incredible that his inclusion didn't help with McCaw's deserved recognition by the IRB.
McCaw has arguably enjoyed his greatest season in the black jersey in 2008.
His work at openside flanker has been first-class, something highlighted by ongoing verbal attacks from opposition players and coaches about his playing style.
And then there are his outstanding leadership abilities.
Both he and the All Black coaching staff have spoken of how he has grown as a leader following last year's World Cup campaign.
His impact on the men in black was again highlighted during his three-test absence at the start of the Tri Nations through injury.
After the side recorded a hard-fought win over the Springboks in Wellington, they then suffered a marked drop off in subsequent losses to the Boks in Dunedin and the Wallabies in Sydney.
In the final two matches, the All Blacks were badly shown up both at the breakdown and in terms of leadership.
McCaw then returned to the fold and the All Blacks took on a whole new lease of life.
But somehow the 'wise' old heads at the IRB have decided that he is not among the world's five best players - in the process nominating a journeyman Scot and an Italian ahead of him.
Who do you rate as the world's best?
And do you seriously think Blair and Parisse are better players than McCaw?
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