Charlotte Caslick is odds on to win the inaugural World Rugby women’s Sevens award to be named at a gala dinner on Sunday night at London’s Hilton Metropole Hotel.
The brilliant Caslick is the only Australian nominated in the eight categories.
Player of the Year:
Jamie Heaslip (Ireland), Beauden Barrett (NZ), Dan Coles (NZ), Owen Farrell (England), Maro Itoje (England), and Billy Vunipola (England).
Favoured – Beauden Barrett.
Women’s Player of the Year:
Fiaolo Fa’amausili (NZ), Sarah Hunter (England), and Gaelle Mignot (France).
Favoured – Fiaolo Fa’amausili.
Sevens Player of the Year:
Osea Kolinisau (Fiji), Seabeto Senatla (South Africa), and Virimi Vakatawa (France).
Favoured – Osea Kolinisau.
Women’s Sevens Player of the Year:
Charlotte Caslick (Australia), Portial Woodman (NZ), and Emily Scarrett (England).
Favoured – Charlotte Caslick.
Team of the Year:
All Blacks, England, and Fiji – the Australian women’s Sevens should have been included in this category.
Favoured – All Blacks.
Coach of the Year:
Steve Hansen (NZ), Eddie Jones (England), and Ben Ryan (Fiji).
Favoured – Eddie Jones.
Breakthrough Player of the Year:
Maro Itoje (England), Anton Liennert-Brown (NZ), and Ardie Savea (NZ).
Favoured – Maro Itoje.
Referee of the Year:
Jerome Garces (France), Alihambra Nievas (Spain), and Jaco Peyper (South Africa).
Favoured – Jaco Peyper.
But before the awards with some strange nominations, there’s the mighty important second leg of the Wallabies’ Grand Slam tour against Scotland at Murrayfield.
Will Genia comes back into the side after missing the Wales game when Stade Francais didn’t release him.
There couldn’t have been any discussion, Genia was automatic.
Sure Nick Phipps played well in Genia’s absence, but Genia is the better half-back by the length of the straight.
David Pocock has overcome concussion problems from the Wales clash, and will again wear the No.6 jersey, leaving Dean Mumm’s return from suspension on the bench.
Why Michael Cheika keeps selecting Mumm ahead of Scott Fardy remains a mystery.
But winners are grinners, and losers can make their own arrangements.
The Wallaby team to meet Scotland:
1 – Scott Sio – 26 caps.
2 – Stephen Moore (c) – 113.
3 – Sekope Kepu – 74
4 – Rory Arnold 0 7.
5 – Adam Coleman – 8.
6 – David Pocock – 62.
7 – Michael Hooper – 62.
8 Lopeti Timani- 4.
9 – Will Genia – 72
10 – Bernard Foley – 38.
11 – Henry Speight – 7.
12 – Reece Hodge – 7.
13 – Tevita Kuridrani – 41.
14 – Dane Haylett-Petty.
15 – Israel Folau – 49.
16 – Tolu Latu – 1.
17 – Tom Robertson – 4.
18 – Allan Ala’alatoa – 6.
19 – Rob Simmons – 67.
20 – Will Skelton – 16.
21 – Dean Mumm – 53.
22 – Nick Phipps – 49.
23 – Quade Cooper – 65.
That squad will give the Wallabies two from two and be half-way to the Grand Slam.
They will beat Scotland because of a formidable front row, lock combination, and world class backrow to form a formidable scrum and lineout, providing skipper Moore can find his targets.
The backline will do the rest, especially of Israel Folau chimes in often.
CUW
Guest
in that case u have to nominate RETALLICK before anyone else. he is the MVP for all blacks. he probably has played more minutes than most in ABs and when he was missing the NZ team lost !!!
Buk
Guest
Not according to Vunipola's mum :)
Akari
Roar Rookie
Non-ABs supporters might actually welcome your suggestion, Timbo.
The Saint
Roar Guru
At least a nomination for Ben Smith, surely. I totally agree with you TNVFS.
The Saint
Roar Guru
I agree Will. Very strange. I have seen the list of names of the judging panel chaired by John Eales, but Im more curious as to whether they are also responsible for coming up with the nominations, or is there a seperate panel or committee that does it. I want to know who came up with the nominations list!
The Saint
Roar Guru
No Mumm?
The Saint
Roar Guru
Dane Coles is my pick. Caslick to win her category. Breakthrough player will be Itoje. Hansen to win coach of the year. ABs, despite their loss last week, to win Team of the Year. Those are my picks.
Atlas
Roar Rookie
Ireland - just four wins in 2016. The positive of last weekend far outweighed by the losses if points/grades allocated by judges for the year
Bakkies
Guest
The Coach of the Year nominations were for some announced two weeks ago so that explains Schmidt's exclusion.
Lano
Roar Guru
Very amusing gents. My comments was not worth printing, but alas there is no delete button, only an edit button, so you're left with my mug.....after I deleted the words!
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
For how many years will Ben Smith be overlooked? And what must he do to get some recognition from the jury? Play Test rugby with one leg? Play blindfolded?
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
A picture says more than a thousand words.
Ruggerphil
Roar Rookie
I don't mean to be sexist but Caslick is most certainly the best looking of the nominees......a lot prettier than Vunipola
Will Sinclair
Roar Guru
Seems very unfair, doesn't it?
CUW
Guest
I think David has a few calls wrong. Player of the Year - DANE COLES. Team of the Year - while All Blacks have won a lot, so have the FIJI 7S team - they won both world series and Olympics , so they are my winner. Coach of the Year - as above, Ben Ryan for me.
Daveski
Guest
Poor Pat Phibbs, a good servant of Randwick and Brumbies rugby sure gets a lot of stick on these threads....
Timbo
Guest
'I however struggle to work out how the English players and young Eddie made the cut when England only played against 3rd rate teams, including the WBs this year.' If that's your criterion, we'll have to rule out any AB players from consideration, then.
Darwin Stubbie
Guest
For that reason alone I can't see them doubling down on last years dumb decision
Adsa
Guest
A man of few words Lano
Will Sinclair
Roar Guru
It's unlikely Patrick Phibbs will be selected for the Wallabies though.