Best try: Bryan Habana
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Bryan Habana's spectacular try against New Zealand in the Rugby Championship has won him the International Rugby Players' Association's (IRPA) Try of the Year award.
Habana became the second Springbok to win the award after Jaque Fourie earned the honour in 2009 for his try in the second Test against the British & Irish Lions at Loftus Versfeld.
Habana's Dunedin score was also named as South Africa's try of the year to add to his winning of the title of SARU's player of the year for 2012.
Habana took his total of Springbok tries to 47 in 2012, before a knee injury cut short his season before the end of year tour.
Former team-mate Jaque Fourie, All Blacks centurion Mils Muliaina, former IRB Player of the Year Shane Williams and Japan's Daisuke Ohata, the leading try scorer in Test Rugby, formed the panel of judges who opted for Habana's effort ahead of the three other shortlisted tries scored by New Zealand duo Hosea Gear and Julian Savea and Frenchman Julien Malzieu.
Consideration was also given to votes cast by rugby fans from all around the world via the IRB's interactive platforms.
Habana, the IRB Player of the Year in 2007, stunned the All Blacks when he ran onto a pass at full speed, chipped ahead and gathered to score a try that briefly handed the Springboks the lead seven minutes into the second half of the contest in Dunedin. New Zealand went on to win 21-11.
"Scoring a try against the All Blacks is always special, but scoring against them in New Zealand, is even more special," said Habana.
"I really enjoyed getting across the try-line in Dunedin - contributing to the success of the team and also lifting the spirits of my teammates.
"Winning this Award is very special and hopefully I can continue scoring tries for the Springboks for a very long time."
Previous winners:
2011 - Radike Samo (Australia) - Australia v New Zealand
2010 - Chris Ashton (England) - England v Australia
2009 - Jaque Fourie (South Africa) - South Africa v British & Irish Lions
2008 - Brian O'Driscoll (Ireland) - Australia v Ireland
Comments
UBA05 says...
@ tulogs hahahahahahaha
Im sorry but the player of the year (not necessarily referring to Carter) and try of the year are starting (if they didnt start long time ago) to become one big joke. No offence to anyone but there is nothing special about Habana's try (except Aaron smith's disinterest in tackling him and Justin marshall's over the top commentary). The chip and chase whilst only left with the fullback are skills any back must possess. then its only up to the luck of the bounce.
There were simply better tries, the argies one vs Nz (in argentina) comes to mind among others.
2011 - Radike Samo (Australia) - Australia v New Zealand (Unanimous. No argument)
2010 - Chris Ashton (England) - England v Australia (No argument)
2009 - Jaque Fourie (South Africa) - South Africa v British & Irish Lions (Haha when it all became a joke. Would you like some Heymans with your Cedric?? www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZScVM8Ta-0)
2008 - Brian O'Driscoll (Ireland) - Australia v Ireland (can't remember the 2008 season)
Posted 09:00 04th December 2012
melkdave says...
Personally i dont think that was the best try this year.Gilroys against Fiji ,was alot better,but maybe to late to becounted .Anyway its all subjective ,and imo doesnt realy mean much .Pretty sure players look more for the win in games rather than scoring trys.
Posted 17:01 01st December 2012
Wallaroo says...
@JayStarr
Correct, it is a real life and rugby site. In my life God is real and a major part of my life.
This may not be the case in your life which I respect, doesn't mean that I will cease from talking about what is real life to me and neither should you.
One of the great things in life is that most people have opinions, which for most are based on their knowledge and experience. We are also blessed to live in a free society where our opinions are valued by some and rejected by others; these divisions are often the basis for seeking new knowledge, understanding and wisdom which hopefully result in progress.
BTW rugby is the game played in heaven so again an important fact to consider. Hope for your sake it's not just an earthly encounter.
Take care JayStarr, life is far to precious to squander.
Posted 00:51 01st December 2012
fattysock says...
@JayStarr
As it's the IRPA Try of the Year, where the I stands for Interational, I'm guessing that only international tries are up for consideration?
Posted 19:43 30th November 2012
davodiablo says...
Great try and it deserves noting but I agree with Jaystarr . There were much better try's where the move involved many players showing all the skills.
Posted 17:33 30th November 2012
bliksem says...
Cats_Meow - so try of the year can only go to a team that won the relevant game? Great logic you applied there mate, makes a lot of sense...
Posted 12:46 30th November 2012
JayStarr says...
I'm South African, but I don't agree with this...
Joe Pietersen scored a very similar try for the Stormers against the Highlanders in Super Rugby - only it was even better than this one, because he started the move in his own 22 by side-stepping two defenders before regathering later, chipping, collecting and scoring...
But that should not be try of the year either, because there were so many other tries scored this year which were far more complex and far more of a team effort. And this being a team game, I think brilliant team efforts should be valued higher than brilliant individual efforts. That All Black try scored against Wales last weekend comes to mind, and there were many like that in Super Rugby which exhibited incredible individual skill CONTRIBUTING to an incredible collective effort. Just watch the games of the Hurricanes or Cheetahs - they scored tries which make this one look like a walk in the park.
@ Wallaroo & ManWarrior, So god picked him ahead of all the other religious South African players? Please! Take your delusion somewhere else please - this is a comment wall where we talk about real life and rugby.
Posted 12:17 30th November 2012
tulogs says...
@Wallaroo says...
God at centre would solve all of the Springbok's back line problems!
Posted 11:52 30th November 2012
side_stepper says...
Amen @ Wallaroo and ManWarrior
Posted 11:16 30th November 2012
Cats_Meow says...
Try of the year? For a team that lost? Farrell as a finalist for IRB player of the year? Sorry, my calender says it's not April the 1st
Posted 09:35 30th November 2012
ManWarrior says...
@Wallaroo, best comment you've ever made! He actually teaches childrens church at his local fellowship.
He deserves it because when he was "out of form" in his try scoring catagory then he made up for it in his work rate, defence and consistant effort!
Ooh Aah Habana!!!
Posted 09:14 30th November 2012
Wallaroo says...
@side_stepper - that's what happens when you put God first and at the centre of your life.
Posted 08:31 30th November 2012
gazzabok says...
Try of the year scored by someone belonging to a team who apparently don't score tries. Oh, the irony.
Posted 08:04 30th November 2012
side_stepper says...
Ok..so he's won the RWC, Tri-Nations, Freedom Cup, Mandela Cup, Super Rugby, Currie Cup, IRB Player of the Year and now, IRB Try of the Year. Anything else?
Also he's still in good form..wow! Springbok legend..
Posted 04:17 30th November 2012
kiwishamoo says...
"I really enjoyed getting across the try-line in Dunedin - contributing to the success of the team"
but.....but....you lost!?
Posted 19:29 29th November 2012
TVaddict says...
Good choice.
Posted 17:01 29th November 2012