IRB announce top award shortlist
The nominees for the 2008 IRB Player of the Year Award have been released, and feature three British players.
The nominees for the 2008 IRB Player of the Year Award have been released, and feature three British players.
Wales captain Ryan Jones and his international colleague Shane Williams feature on a five-strong list, alongside Scotland scrum-half Mike Blair.
The other two contenders are New Zealand's imperious fly-half Dan Carter, who will begin a lucrative six-month contract with French club Perpignan in December, and Italy skipper Sergio Parisse.
Jones led Wales to their second Six Nations title and Grand Slam in four years last season, and is favourite for Lions captaincy duties in South Africa next summer.
His Ospreys team-mate Williams, meanwhile, broke Gareth Thomas' Wales try-scoring record last term, and currently has 43 touchdowns from 58 Test appearances.
The diminutive wing is regarded as one of world rugby's most dangerous attackers, and would be seen in many quarters as favourite for the IRB award.
Scrum-half Blair skippered Scotland to Calcutta Cup glory against England at Murrayfield last March, while Carter took the IRB's top accolade in 2005.
Carter guided New Zealand to this year's Tri-Nations title, underlining his status as the world's leading fly-half, and Parisse has led Italy under the coaching regime of Nick Mallett, establishing himself among the most consistent number eights in international rugby.
The winner of what is viewed as rugby union's most prestigious individual award will be announced in London on November 23.
“The IRB Player of the Year Award is the ultimate accolade for a player and takes into account performances in all the major internationals played during the year including the Six Nations, Tri Nations and the June-July Tests,” said International Rugby Board Chairman, Bernard Lapasset.
“The list of past winners of this coveted award is impressive and reads like a who's who of the international Game in recent years.
“Jonny Wilkinson, Schalk Burger, Richie McCaw, Fabien Galthié, Dan Carter, Bryan Habana and Keith Wood were all worthy recipients of the award, while Carter would be the first player to win twice should he be selected.”
The nominees were selected by the Awards' independent panel of judges, comprising former internationals with over 500 Test caps between them. The panel, which also votes on the IRB Team and Coach of the Year during the same period, has deliberated over every major Test this year.
Tana Umaga, Raphaël Ibañez, Will Greenwood, Francois Pienaar, Agustin Pichot, Gavin Hastings, Scott Quinnell, Paul Wallace and convener John Eales watched over 47 hours of action from 35 matches, awarding points to the three players they thought stood out in each match.
“Now that the shortlist has been selected the panel will reconvene during the November Tests when the IRB Player of the Year will be selected,” Lapasset added.