Player of the Year: Dan Carter
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New Zealand fly-half Dan Carter was named Player of the Year in a clean sweep by the world champions at the IRB awards in London on Monday.
The All Blacks, unbeaten in 20 Tests since the start of last year's RWC before Saturday's loss against England, were named Team of the Year.
Meanwhile, head coach Steve Hansen won the Coach of the Year award in his first year as boss.
Carter claimed the personal award ahead of England's Owen Farrell, his All Blacks captain Richie McCaw and France's Frederic Michalak to the award, won last year by Thierry Dusautoir.
It was the second time the 30-year-old Carter, who this year returned from injury problems that saw him miss out on New Zealand's World Cup triumph, had won the IRB honour, following his success in 2005.
This was the third straight year New Zealand had won the team award, with Hansen keeping the coaching prize in the country following the back-to-back wins of World Cup-winning boss Graham Henry.
IRB chairman Bernard Lapasset presented McCaw with the team award and players' award on Carter's behalf at the World Cup pool draw in London, while Hansen received his award from IRB vice-chairman Oregan Hoskins.
"Dan Carter has bounced back from the disappointment of missing the majority of the (2011) World Cup through injury to show what a truly magnificent player he is and a wonderful ambassador for our sport," Lapasset said.
"Winning this award for the second time reflects his sheer talent and ability."
Comments
powerplay says...
McCaw shouldve won! the award is still a joke!
Posted 20:44 03rd December 2012
isthatrightref says...
Maybe they need a Performance of the Year award... Carter was brilliant at times, average at others whereas McCaw (& Read) were at least very good pretty much every week.
Given where England were at this time last year, there's a case for Lancaster as COTY & given the year he's had, possibly even Aussie Rob... but anyhoo, onya Shag!
Not sure if the loss falls within the voting window but even allowing for that, the draw & a coupla scratchy wins AB's were easily the dominant side so no argument with TOTY.
Posted 20:24 03rd December 2012
BillyMutt2 says...
Congratulation to Dan Carter. For me it was a toss up between McCaw, Carter and Reid (who should have nominated).
The All Blacks deserve the award as well, as does Steve Hansen - first world cup winning team/coach who followed it up with an absolutely outstanding year (Saturday's little blip notwithstanding).
Posted 20:16 03rd December 2012
JayStarr says...
This is a joke. I can't take this award seriously anymore after this year's nominations and selection...
How on earth Owen Farrell can be on that list is beyond me... and how on earth Eben Etzebeth can NOT be on that list is even further beyond me..! Dan Carter was very good this year when he played, but he didn't play for a large part of Super Rugby - and even when he did he was not the best. Aaron Cruden was SIGNIFICANTLY better than Carter during Super Rugby - and was the star fly-half in the team who won the tournament! What Carter did and when he did it that made him the best player I don't know, because he didn't even play all the tests for the All Blacks...
From the list I think Richie McCaw deserved it. He was immense in every game he played this year.
They seriously need to sort out how they nominate and select players for this award, because the way it was done this year made a mockery of it.
Posted 19:27 03rd December 2012
gn100 says...
Can't argue too much with the decision - I thought the 3 standouts were McCaw, Carter and Read, with several others on their heels (Lobbe, Michalek, Dagg, Habana, Halfpenny, C Smith etc).
While Carter did miss a few games through injury, he did bring a level of organisation to the backline that otherwise was lacking, and he sparked the team on several occasions when they were struggling. His option taking is so good, but is a skill which gets forgotton about, when you are as consistent as he is.
Posted 18:52 03rd December 2012
KiwiLad says...
Did Richie turn it down???
Posted 18:27 03rd December 2012
Isograford says...
Oh come on. He had a couple of good games, and then ended it playing with an injury to help turn his worst even in a black jersey.
For all round consistency McCaw had a stunning year now that he can play with both feet this year.
Posted 17:53 03rd December 2012
davodiablo says...
Despite the loss on Sat I still feel very lucky to have the ABs as my team. Its been a terrific year .
Congrats to DC but Read was my standout AB this year .
Posted 17:44 03rd December 2012
Spartacus says...
If McCaw is best he should get the award, regardless of winning it 100 times previously. As NZ are about to find out, life will be a lot tougher without McCaw than it would Carter.
Posted 17:16 03rd December 2012
BWJC says...
Guess they must have decided this before Danny Boy's Saturday debacle...
I'm no Farrell fan either, but he gave all the smug nay-sayers something to think about didnt he?
Posted 17:09 03rd December 2012
ArmchairGeneral says...
More backs on the panel again?
Posted 16:54 03rd December 2012
Golden_statenba says...
Well done DC!
Posted 16:38 03rd December 2012