New Zealand’s Beauden Barrett and Rieko Ioane have been named on the five-man shortlist for World Rugby Player of the Year award, while France dominated the nominations for the women’s award.
Barrett could become the first player to win the award three years in a row after another stellar season in the All Blacks number 10 jersey, scoring seven tries in his eight tests this year.
Ioane, the youngest of the nominees at only 21, has found himself on the shortlist for the second year in a row, having also been named the Breakthrough Player of the Year in 2017.
South African pair Faf de Klerk and Malcolm Marx and Irish flyhalf Johnny Sexton were also nominated for the award.
The oldest men’s nominee at 33, Sexton has played a key role in Ireland’s climb to the second in the world rankings on the back of a Six Nations Grand Slam and first series win in Australia for 39 years.
France captain Gaelle Hermet was joined by teammates Pauline Bourdon, Safi N’Diaye and Jessy Tremouliere on the women’s shortlist after their Grand Slam triumph this year.
They were joined by Kiwi skipper Fiao’o Faamausili, the oldest of the nominees at 38.
The awards will be presented in Monte Carlo on November 25.
jcmasher
Roar Rookie
Hardly surprising really. No Wallaby put his hand up this year. Some of it due to injury, some of it due to the weird selections of the players but mostly because no one stepped up. Pocock was close but he’s a 6 or 8 playing 7 so he’ll never get it.
Hugh Briss
Roar Rookie
Clearly the list is ridiculous. How could the world's greatest fullback/winger/#13 not be at the top? I mean, he's just been given a four-year deal worth over $10million - that's proof alone that he might possibly be the greatest rugby player of all time. To leave Izzy out is just folau...oops...typo!...folly...
Mike
Guest
Would you seriously expect there to be??
Kane
Roar Guru
He did miss four games of the season so that counts against him
Tipene Roar
Roar Rookie
Pocock should be up for it at least. Brilliant player in a terrible team.With out him Chieks would be gone.
Tipene Roar
Roar Rookie
But ok not sure we on the same page.
Tipene Roar
Roar Rookie
A great hooker may disagree with you there.
Wally
Guest
Yes they all get a standing ovation :)
Bakkies Botha
Roar Rookie
Mapu, Malcolm Marx is a hooker. Hard for him to dominate opposition props...
Kane
Roar Guru
Do they allocate votes per game as a 3-2-1? If so Barrett wouldn't be far off. If they take into account performances every game then I don't think Barrett or Marx will be there and Reiko will get it.
Tipene Roar
Roar Rookie
Marx for me but his line out throwing could count against him, this year.
Tipene Roar
Roar Rookie
Agree.Hard position to get accolades I guess.Personal awards only with dominating every other prop.Lets see how he goes against the AB props first.
Tipene Roar
Roar Rookie
Haha Gold eh
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
Retallick has been injured too much though, but agree he's the best in the world. Hope Marx gets it, but Sexton would be an equally valid winner I think.
brian
Guest
Yes, Furlong is a terrible oversight. What a prop!
Tooly
Roar Rookie
Retalick is the best Marx, Barrett and Pocock not far behind.
Carlin
Roar Rookie
Surprised Furlong from Ireland hasn’t made the shortlist. He has been outstanding for Ireland and is the best prop in the world at the moment.
peeeko
Roar Guru
thanks, i guess?
Uncle Eric
Guest
What? No Tongan Thor! No Izzy Folau! No Michael Hooper! Surely Cheika must be a shoe in for coach of the year, together with the ARU Board being clear favourites for administrators of the year.