New Zealand flyhalf Dan Carter was the only southern hemisphere player announced on Wednesday in the list of five nominees for the International Rugby Board (IRB) Player of the Year award.
Perpignan’s new recruit, who won the award three years ago, could be the first player to take the prize for a second time if he sees off competition from the Wales duo of Shane Williams and Ryan Jones, Scotland scrumhalf Mike Blair and Italy captain Sergio Parisse.
The winner will be announced at an awards ceremony in London on November 23.
A panel of former internationals, with more than 500 caps between them and chaired by former Australia World Cup-winning captain John Eales, watched more than 47 hours of action from the 35 Tests played so far this year, awarding points to the three players they thought stood out in each match.
Eales’s fellow panellists included Tana Umaga, Raphael Ibanez, Will Greenwood, Francois Pienaar, Agustin Pichot, Gavin Hastings, Scott Quinnell and Paul Wallace.
The panel also voted for the IRB’s team and coach of the year.
Carter steered New Zealand to this year’s Tri-Nations title, cementing his position as the best flyhalf currently in world rugby.
Back-row Jones captained Wales to their second Six Nations title and Grand Slam in four years last season, and is regarded as the favourite to lead the British and Irish Lions in South Africa next year.
Meanwhile, his Ospreys teammate, Williams, is one of the most effective finishers in the game, the diminutive wing boasting a record of 43 tries from 58 Tests, having broken Gareth Thomas’s Wales record last season.
Wales coach Warren Gatland said the nomination of both Jones and Williams was a tribute to their teammates and all the backroom staff.
”Shane Williams has been in sparkling form and not only lit up the Six Nations, but also shone on our tour to South Africa in the summer,” said the former Ireland and Wasps boss.
”Ryan returned from injury just before the Six Nations to lead from the front and the leadership role he fulfils has been integral to our achievements and should not be underestimated,” the New Zealander added.
”But to have two players recognised in the top five of the world game is the highest accolade and the nation, together with all of the Wales coaches and national squad, should take great pride in that fact.”
Parisse has been one of the stars of a powerful Italy pack, establishing himself as a world-class number eight.
Blair, meanwhile, had the satisfaction of captaining Scotland to victory over old rivals England in the 2008 Calcutta Cup clash.
”The list of past winners of this coveted award is impressive and reads like a who’s who of the international game in recent years,” said IRB chairperson Bernard Lapasset.
”Jonny Wilkinson, Schalk Burger, Richie McCaw, Fabien Galthie, Dan Carter, Bryan Habana and Keith Wood were all worthy recipients of the award, while Carter would be the first player to win twice should he be selected.”
In all there are 13 awards up for grabs, and during the ceremony five players will be inducted into the IRB Hall of Fame — two from the 19th century, two from the 20th century and one from the 21st century. — AFP
