Storm says...

Pocock over McCaw?

A coin toss at best in a sub par year performance wise for Richie.

I doubt he will quibble over this poll while quaffing beverages from the Webb Ellis trophy. Boo Yah!!

Posted 15:42 26th December 2011

makemehappy says...

@Phill_Moore - come on - North has a superb year. Huge impact on games. A very difficult person to oppose in that position I'd say.

Posted 13:21 22nd December 2011

Lucasrg says...

@isthatrightref

totally agree, bring it on PR...after all referees are a major "entertaining" feature in modern rugby. they deserve to be considered for a poll.

Posted 21:06 19th December 2011

fozza says...

Sorry to all who think otherwise but, whilst he is a legendary, generation best player, Richie McCaw didn't get my vote. Best openside of the last decade, yup, but he's been injured a lot this last year and has had some quiet games (must un-McCaw like!!). That takes nothing away from his achievements this year or any other!!! A bit surprised Warburton got no mention but then again he was a latish arrival and like it or not the red card was a blemish.

Posted 14:42 19th December 2011

maria14 says...

this was supposed to be team of the YEAR, by year you are supposed to consider the H-Cup, Super Rugby, Currie Cup, Top 14, Pro 12, Premership, etc. it seems to me that all the votes have been based on the WC.

i dont argue with the team above, some of the guys were in my XV selection. but George North, Quade Cooper, Bismarck du Plessis, Dan Carter??? how their inclucsion be jusified!!!

North does not know the basics of being a winger!

Cooper..... does not have a kicking, cant tackle, Genia pulled him through the Super Rugby in 2011, he only impressed against the weaker teams and went missing in the big games.

Bismarck du Plessis... i know he was allowed to play for skarks and Bokke due to "politics" but i feel there are better options for hooker, Servat or Struss (Leinster). i think in 2012 if he stays injury free he will command the number 2 shirt for both Sharks and Bokke.

as for 10... dan will always be in the top 2 or 3 positions for out-half of the year that is a giver and he is genious at what he does, but Sexton was great (even though it pains me to say as i am munster chick), kidney should have made him number 1 10 for the WC, jonny pulled Leinster back into the final of the H-Cup when they were dead and buried at half time. Nick Evans should have been in the reckoning also has he was pulling the strings of Harliquins win over munster in Thomand park, to their success in the Amlin final and then kept their season perfect check until they met toulouse two weeks ago, but even yesterday he commanded his troops to beat Toulouse in "La Stadium", Tran-Duh was great in the Top 14, Morné steyn was good in the WC (slotted all his kicked when other were difting wide), but carter??? missed alot of Super Rugby, was never challenged in the WC until he was injuried, his Tri-nations was poor by his standards. he does not deserve it!!

oh i could go on! xx

Posted 10:32 19th December 2011

isthatrightref says...

@ PR... just to stir the pot, how about a "Ref of the Year" poll?

Posted 07:55 19th December 2011

rugbylover says...

If George North could actually catch the ball he'd be a very good player..................obviously a favourite with the Welsh contingent - after all, Wales won the RWC - er...................

Posted 07:36 19th December 2011

Sincero says...

You see: I told you democracy doesn't work.

Posted 04:40 19th December 2011

BDAUSSIE says...

Still have no idea how Matfield gets in ahead of Horwill. Matifield made absolutely NO impact in the Super 15 and was just as unimpressive in the tri-nations. He played ok in the world cup. Horwill on the other hand was a standout all season for the Reds, lead his team ot the premiership, was one of the stand-out performers in the tri-nations where he lead his team to victory and was one of the few wallabies that wasnt out of form at the World Cup.

Yes Matfield did a number on the less experienced Horwill at line-out time in the 1/4 final match, but nevertheless Horwill was outstanding around the park in that game, again lead his team to victory (i see a pattern here) and scored the decisive try in that match.

So yes other than the fact that Matfield clearly schooled Horwill at line-out time at the world cup, Horwill has consistently been a star in 2011, whilst Matfield really didn't achieve anything.

I should point out that I'm a massive Matfield fan. He's one of the best of all time, but it's hard to measure his handful of quality games in 2011 against a bloke who has consistently made an impact over 9 months.

Posted 02:30 19th December 2011

Oceansnz says...

Its interesting that people feel being on a winning team should influence their vote.

If a player is individually brilliant, and they are in fact the best in their position; isn't that enough? Besides, if a player still dominates and does well on a loosing team, that should make him seem even greater right?

Posted 23:58 18th December 2011