EARLIER TODAY, the shortlisted IRB Player of the Year nominations were announced, prompting considerable debate.
Some people were peeved at the ostensible preference given to players from the Southern Hemisphere.
Therefore, we at TheScore.ie have decide to rectify some of the glaring omissions in the IRB list with our alternative Player of the Year nominations:
Sam Warburton (Wales)
More than a few eyebrows were raised when Gatland made the decision to appoint the relatively inexperienced Cardiff Blues man as his captain. However, Warburton more than repaid his manager’s faith in him with a string of excellent performances. Moreover, the unfortunate manner in which Warburton’s tournament ended should not be held against him.
Sean O’Brien (Ireland)
Since this tournament began, O’Brien has acquired near-legendary status, owing to his ability to exert his considerable influence on games. O’Brien was perhaps the most startling omission from the IRB Player of the Year shortlist, as not only did he deliver a series of accomplished World Cup performances, but he also performed spectacularly all year for Leinster and proved a pivotal part of their Heineken Cup success.
Julien Bonnaire (France)
Were it not for Bonnaire, it’s unlikely that France would still be in with a chance of winning the World Cup. The Clermont Auvergne talisman has been an influential figure for Marc Lievremont’s men. In contrast to many of his teammates at the World Cup, Bonnaire’s courage, coupled with his tireless work ethic, has been a sight to behold.
Israel Dagg (New Zealand)
Excluded from the IRB list presumably on the basis that there were already too many New Zealand players on it, Israel Dagg is undeniably one of the most exciting players in world rugby today. Dagg’s attacking threat is complemented by a solidity in defence. He was also part of the much-heralded back three that proved so influential for New Zealand in the semi-final, as they simply refused to drop high balls and attacked with noticeable purpose.
Digby Ioane (Australia)
While some of his colleagues didn’t consistently perform to the level required, Ioane can be more than satisfied with his Rugby World Cup displays. He was Australia’s most threatening back against New Zealand, and his absence during their worst moment - the 15-6 loss to Ireland – was telling.
Do you agree with our choices? Let us know in the comments section below.
Slippy G knowns how to win a league. Oh wait
Get in, love it. Making a contest of it Rangers, Stevie making a cracking start to management.
@Marty Morrisey: Rangers are rank rotten ,Terrible side ,Celtic will pump them next week.
@Midland Celt: And yet they lie 1 point off the Pumpers.
@Marty Morrisey: BTW With a game in Hand ,
@Midland Celt: like literally pump them?
@Marty Morrisey: you are a sad sad troll .
@Niall James Fergal McCormack: Cheers for the glorious input shorty.
@Marty Morrisey: thanks you sad man . Not sure what the shorty comment is about but f**k me I hope you are under 18 because if not it makes the way you act on the 42 even sadder . Grow up !
@Niall James Fergal McCormack: Glorious input cheers shortie.
@Marty Morrisey: you had the spelling of ‘shorty’ correct the first time. Trolling with illiteracy, Marty, is only a step above fingering a badger.
@Ian Michael O’Carroll: 1 in the stink 2 in the pink like ?
@Ian Michael O’Carroll: fingering a badger. Lol.
Steven Gerard’s Rangers were awful from start to finish. A team completely devoid of ideas. It was great to watch them toil. Morelos gets into great positions and pulled them out of a hole.
I’d imagine Celtic can’t wait for the game on the 29th.
@Ciaran Rice: 3 points all the same.
@Mark Glynn: of course but that doesn’t mask how poor Steven Gerard’s Rangers are.
@Ciaran Rice: To be fair though, they are a growing side..have had to start all over again and are making progress
@Mark Glynn: eh, the side has been getting worse every week. They are now making very few chances and scoring hardly any goals. There also have around the same points total after this round of games as they did last season.
@Ciaran Rice: If celtic win their game in hand it puts 4 points between the teams. A couple weeks back you were giving out that the Premiership has no competition when City were 3 points clear haha
@Turkish: I said the SPFL is more competitive than the EPL this season (and last season), which it is. Celtic are a point ahead. There have been 5 changes for first place in December alone. There are currently only 11 points separating 1st to 8th and 6 different sides have led the league so far this season.
Liverpool have played almost an entire round of games and are still unbeaten. Not much competition there.
@Ciaran Rice: so there not making progress, from having to start in bottom division with a new crop of players-now there in the premiership..
@Mark Glynn: if you think finishing 3rd every season, spending more than any other side whilst winning nothing is progressing then that’s up to you.
@Ciaran Rice: How much more than Celtic did they spend this season?
@Ciaran Rice: what do you mean winning nothing. Rangers secured promotion back to the Premiership having won three promotions in four years.
@The Bloody Nine: think they spent 2-3 million more than Celtic. That is going on the reported £9 million Celtic spent on Edouard, which I don’t believe is the case. The Rangers also spent more than Celtic last summer also.
@Mark Glynn: back to the premiership? They had never been there in the first place.
@Ciaran Rice: you sure mate, pretty sure it’s called the Scottish Premiership. Do your research.
Who is this Rangers you speak of? Are they anything to Steven Gerrards Rangers??
Doing well on a shoe string budget hopefully rangers pull of a shock with this squad and win it
@Colgate: oh god he’s got yet another account
@Colgate: spent most in the league . Your trolling is poor and creating new accounts so often is pathetic . Grow up !
@Niall James Fergal McCormack: 2 people on this article, just article alone you have attacked. Glorious input as per shorty.
@Marty Morrisey: 2 people? You mean you and you!! You are as bad as Andy Gorum!!!
@Marty Morrisey: what a sad sad person.. people like u that sit in there room all day and have 1 friend that’s your 8 year old sister!!
@Jay Murphy: I have 6 sister’s all older than me. Hugs n X’s JJ
@Marty Morrisey: haha shortie . I like the way that’s sticking for you because it makes no sense . Are you trolling yourself ? I’ve no idea what you are talking about but you are a very sad man .