On what proved to be a difficult day for the IRB following the five-week ban handed out to Andrew Hore, the general reaction to Owen Farrell's inclusion on the shortlist of nominees for this year's IRB Player of the Year award has been one of derision and surprise.
First and foremost, Farrell is a great talent who made important progress during his first year in the Test arena, with crucial kicks against Scotland and Italy in the Six Nations leading to England's second place finish.
He is not the type to arrogantly swagger around following the news of his nomination - if anything he will be slightly embarrassed.
Farrell will be around for some time too and will continue to improve, but was he one of the top four players in the world over the last 12 months? Absolutely not.
The Player of the Year award is designed to celebrate the sport, not mock it, yet since Richie McCaw contentiously picked up the award in 2009 ahead of Brian O'Driscoll and Fourie du Preez, the system has left itself open to scepticism.
Although McCaw and 2005 winner Dan Carter have been phenomenal and are clear frontrunners, there are still six or so players whose performances over the last 12 months deserve to be recognised ahead of Farrell and perhaps as well Frédéric Michalak.
The immediate name that springs to mind is Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe. Argentina's talisman has led them superbly throughout the first Rugby Championship and then the November Internationals, with the draw against South Africa and win against Wales in Cardiff both testament to the Pumas' growth in 2012.
In this bold new era for Argentinian rugby, they need a leader who possesses both outstanding leadership skills but is also a world-class talent. Fernández Lobbe's offload for Argentina's first try against Wales defines his talent perfectly.
But what about Kieran Read? The undisputed best number eight in the world, Read's form has not dipped in about two years. On top of that, he has been the best player in the world's best team throughout 2012, with the All Blacks winning 12 tests and drawing one. His team-mate Israel Dagg has also done enough to be involved from full-back.
Then there is Bryan Habana. 2012 has been a renaissance year for one of South Africa's all-time greats, with seven tries in nine Tests including a hat-trick against Australia. His young team-mate Eben Etzebeth is another worthy of recognition, with his performance against England at Twickenham underlining what a promising talent he is.
Finally, despite Wales' slump from the high of a Grand Slam to a winless tour of Australia and three defeats so far in the November Internationals, Leigh Halfpenny has remained constantly impressive. One of the first on the plane for the Lions tour next year, Halfpenny's solidity under the high ball, pace going forward and excellent kicking game make him worthy of nomination.
All of those six players would have been included without great contention, yet now Farrell must prepare to face fellow nominee Carter on Saturday with the added pressure of being labelled as one of the four best players in the world. It has been hard enough alone for him to re-gain the starting fly-half spot for England, only getting his opportunity due to Toby Flood's injury.
For such an esteemed panel of Will Greenwood, Gavin Hastings, Raphaël Ibanez, Francois Pienaar, Agustín Pichot, Scott Quinnell, Tana Umaga and Paul Wallace to opt for a bizarre pick is surprising, but what it makes clear is this.
The IRB Player of the Year award clearly does matter to fans and the media, otherwise there would not be such an uproar over Farrell's inclusion. By continuing in the future to make similar eccentric picks, the award will lose it's value.
by Ben Coles
@bencoles_
Comments
Oceansnz says...
@startledwombat.
You deserve a pat on the back.
We all like to critique players and the game but when one or two are incessantly negative, its time to remind them whats cool and whats plainly not.
Posted 08:52 30th November 2012
letsgoboks says...
Shame...
Posted 08:47 30th November 2012
StunTheMullet says...
Maybe he's good at remembering to bring the half time oranges? Or maybe he's good at taking incriminating photos? Or maybe theres an award for depth of buttock calluses from the hours riding the pines?
So many questions so little time.
Posted 08:12 30th November 2012
paulynz says...
I don't know what the IRB has been watching all season. Ned, Wilson and Kurt have been outstanding for the whole...
Of the time that I've taken to read this article.
Posted 07:16 30th November 2012
BradS says...
Nicolas Mas!
Posted 06:55 30th November 2012
Wallaroo says...
@ArmchairGeneral "Rumor from the AB camp is that McCaw is planning to slow AB ball down to make Carter look bad but Carter is going to undermine Richies captaincy." ROLMAO
@BillyMutt2 Trinats computer is from Queensland, types even slower than he can think. I'm sure he typed that sentence properly but his computer couldn't keep up; I'll complete it for you with my high speed NSW computer.
"Still one more test to go, and the future worlds best 7 Pocock (although some better knowing Tahs supporters might say Hooper) is returning from injury and could pip them all after McCaw retires!!!
Does that help, sir?
Posted 05:55 30th November 2012
jonesy2 says...
APV1 -- clearly not quite as good as dave, what a hack. all seriousness that theory makes more sense than the actual situation!
Posted 04:20 30th November 2012
muzza15 says...
Thats a sad joke nominating a player who isnt even the normal starting player for his country at 10, the people who nominated him are fools.
Posted 02:47 30th November 2012
Sincero says...
Oh, so we're excluding the European Cup in picking this? Tests only? Fine- Ireland were undefeated in 2009, having played obviously all the European teams, U.S.A., Canada, Fiji, Australia and South Africa. New Zealand lost against France in 2009 and against South Africa three times. However, Ruchie won the award over O'Driscoll that year (and also over Fourie). This award has zero credibility. Do the fans care about it? no- it means nothing- but seeing it reported in the media with yet another terrible selection is irritating. Good point that it's not fair on Farrell either, and it's only the nomination they'll stuff up this year as Ruchie will win again, but this time deservingly. But the whole thing should be binned to avoid aggravating everyone with their shambles every year. No respect for the paper title.
Posted 02:31 30th November 2012
kpe12 says...
Read hard done by for not making the cut, but I will say Ritchie has really stepped it up since the peg got fixed earlier in the year. His workrate is unbelieveable at the moment. (someone stick a GPS tracker on him and Read in a game please, I want to know how much ground they cover).
Another hard done by for a stand out year is Messam. I genuinely disliked him last year when we had Kaino cause he was soft, but he has taken huge steps this year.
Also a mention for Cruden for never losing a game in the black jersey (so I believe) and throw in Conrad for the only 13 in the world who can run straight.
Habana deserves a mention as well as JP, the old guard have been class and consistency all year for the Boks.
I believe the Farrell's inclusion is so that the selectors have a northern hemisphere player to vote (everyone knows Fred's return to form is from playing in the Super Rugby comp.)
Ritchie to take the award for his overall influence in games, aggressive tackler, holds up halfbacks/forwards/backs alike for defensive mauls for turnovers, gets around the track, supports, hits the ball up, cleans out, intimidates refs. Never retaliates to the constant attacks. Also no hanky panky off the field and is captain of the best team in the world. The player everyone loves to hate.
Posted 01:15 30th November 2012
Timofporirua says...
If the award is for a player who may be great in 5 years time, then Farrell may well be in the top 4. Although I was walking in the park the other day and I saw a 10 year old kid who was pretty good on his feet.
How players like Fernandez Lobbe, Dagg, Parisse, Read, Halfpenny, etc, etc cannot get in ahead of a man who can't even make England's top team I'm not sure. Each of these has had magical moments in the season and sustained brilliance throughout, but what has poor Owen done?
And Michalak has snuck in under the radar also. I'm not sure what his French club form is like, but he didn't set the world alight for the Sharks and he's had two OK performances in November. Wow, is that better than any of the above mentioned, or sundry others?
Posted 00:52 30th November 2012
Sasquatch says...
Owen Farrell? Is he the guy that took over the kicking from that other guy Toby?
Posted 00:17 30th November 2012
hayj05 says...
My nominees would of been - McCaw, Read, lobbe, C.Smith, & Habana. Does it have to be four?
"We are reassured that they have digested over 100 hours of action and have awarded points to the three players they thought stood out in each match but we are left to guess, for example, exactly how Michalak's five Test (4 starting) appearances have trumped the nine inspirational displays offered by Argentina's Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe or the 11-Test lesson in how to play the game that is otherwise known as Kieran Read's season to date with the All Blacks. "
Graham Jenkins on scrum & I don't think he could make the point any clearer.
And we all know Farrell doesn't deserve to be there, it's not his fault though & I really do feel sorry for him as there has been a lot of mocking going on. I read a funny tweet yesterday from an average joe.
"Thanks for words of support. I'm very disappointed not to get IRB World Player of Year nomination; good luck Colin Farrell."
Posted 00:04 30th November 2012
buck_mitchell says...
2 words - Alex. Cuthbert.
5 Test tries in 11 starts (practically won Wales a Grand Slam & 6 Nations title single handedly) and 12 in 15 for his club side too (not that the RaboDirect shower is Super Rugby, but it's still a a solid strike rate) & at the start of the 6 Nations he was still on a "development contract" at the Blues !
Posted 22:01 29th November 2012
isthatrightref says...
Neglected to mention that RM also scores maximum points for causing opposition supporters, & occasionally players, to turn alternately purple with outrage & green with envy...
Posted 21:49 29th November 2012
isthatrightref says...
Just a thought, but instead of taking thr p1ss out've the bloke, who clearly doesn't belong anywhere near the shortlist, perhaps we should be having a go at the so-far nameless d1ckheads who put his name on the list?
McCheat should win this comfortably - Michelak has played only 5 games which hardly seems enough to warrant the award; DC has missed 4 (?) games & was average (by his standards) in a couple of others whereas RM has been consistently the best or 2nd-best AB behind, variously, Read, Dagg & DC all season. Dominant player in the dominant team, end of story.
Posted 21:33 29th November 2012
boksmashoffice says...
what a joke. I had to check if it was 1st of April.
Posted 21:26 29th November 2012
SilverSurfer says...
The article is right on the money. You simply can't be in contention for player of the year if you can't hold down your own teams starting spot. My pick would have been Lobbe. Yes, McCaw, Carter, Reid, Habana, and Halfpenny would be worthy contenders, and while they have been individually superb you have to look at the support they get from being in a superior team (especially Carter, McCaw and Reid) have all been outsanding. The Agentinians came into the Rugby Championshp with doubts over how they would fare. As it turned out they were right up there. But Lobbe was inspirational, and when you take into account that the quality of his players is not quite the same as what the AB's in particular have available to them, I think it makes his efforts on the field even that much more impressive.
Posted 21:22 29th November 2012
Startledwombat says...
@trinats
Your saying "much as we all loathe him..." about McCaw is you talking to Trinats1 in the mirror. If he was eligible I'd have him in the Wallabies in an instant.
In rugby we spectators can mingle after the game, chat about the day, the players, our teams with balance and pleasure - as you know and do - however if this keeps up you're at risk of some cad skipping you when it's his round at the bar.
Posted 21:10 29th November 2012
ArmchairGeneral says...
Carter is awesome but a few too many games out to deserve it above McCaw. I'd like to see Roncero there but i guess retiring mid season put him out. And Read could well have beaten McCaw with decider this weekend. Rumor from the AB camp is that McCaw is planning to slow AB ball down to make Carter look bad but Carter is going to undermine Richies captaincy.
Posted 20:54 29th November 2012