angusmactv says...

Morne's achievement is even greater considering the fact that he began the Lions Test Series as 2nd Choice.

Posted 15:55 22nd November 2009

10corbinC says...

How can you discount players such as Martin Williams and Dan Carter when they are so important in whatever team they play in. Surely Jaime Roberts was just as influencial as Brian O'Driscoll in the Lions series and Simon Shaw was a lot more important than Jaime Heaslip in the same series.

Posted 10:41 20th November 2009

rolf says...

tommy bowe has got to go!

Posted 13:57 19th November 2009

ryantherugbyfan says...

I think Croft has had a decent season, but Heaslip?

And the only reason that McCaw was nominated is because this season showed how much worse the AB's are when playing without their captain. It couldn't have been for his playing ability, as this was certainly not his best season, with Heinrich Brussouw constantly outperforming him.

Alas for Morne, I genuinely do believe that the IRB might have got this one mixed up by mistake... but they would never ever admit it though!

Posted 10:22 19th November 2009

txm516 says...

Very odd selections i thought all players have had a good year and BOD, du preez and giteau all deserve to be there.

Despite McCaw's qualities he's not been at his best this year and the best openside in the world has been brussow who outplayed McCaw in every game. I'm a huge Croft fan but he doesn't deserve to be in this short list and as for Frans Steyn???

Where is Brussow, Gethin Jenkins, Elsom, Jamie Roberts, Byrne and Dussatoir?

Posted 23:26 18th November 2009

tuco says...

Morne is just a place kicker... nothing more... reminds me of the NFL...

Posted 18:35 18th November 2009

sebbb says...

It's all academic really as Brian O'Driscoll is going to win for services to rugby over the past 10 years.

Though my personal nominees would be O'Driscoll, Du Preez, Botha, Brussow, Elsom and Harrinordaqui.

Honourable mention to M. Steyn, Lee Byrne, Rob Kearney, Sivivatu and Mederd.

Posted 17:21 18th November 2009

cab647 says...

I think the problem here is the way the award is given. If I understand correctly, the panel looks at a series of international games over a season (November tests-Tri Nations) and gives points for most influential players. If this is the case, the Springboks played 12 games in that period. Morne only started in 7 of those 12 games. He missed last November's tests altogether, and only played bit parts in the first two Lions tests. That would significantly limit how many points he could receive. The same situation occurred last year where Richie McCaw did not make the short list because injury took away just two or three games. Those games, however, made enough difference that he was not included.

Posted 16:39 18th November 2009

tmcadams says...

Morne Stein has had a very good season but on the back of a dominant pack and with the best scrum half in the game feeding him the ball. Not sure that he deserves to be nominated, although I would not have argued if he had been.

How can Victor Matfield and Bakkies Botha be ignored? They are the main reason for South Africa's dominance in the tri-nations.

Selecting Croft and Heaslip is a joke. I am half England and half Irish by the way.

Posted 15:38 18th November 2009

cornerflag says...

I thought exactly the same! Very good article. Frans is great, love him but Morne was better and good enough to deserve the nomination.

The question is, if this really is a mistake, will they be man enough to announce it as such and fix it???

Posted 14:21 18th November 2009