Congratulations to Shane Williams on winning the Player of the Year award. My gripe is not against him, as I think he’s good enough to challenge for a starting spot in any of the Tri Nations teams. My gripe is against his fellow Northern Hemisphere nominees.
Mike Blair? Ryan Jones? Sergio Parisse?
No Tri Nations team has lost a test against a Six Nations team this year as far as I know. How is it possible then that there are four nominees from the Northern Hemisphere and only one from the Southern Hemisphere?
Considering the dominance of the Southern Hemisphere teams, surely that should be the measuring stick, not how they performed in a (currently) weak Six Nations tournament.
Shane Williams performed well against the Southern Hemisphere teams and that’s why he deserves his award.
But where was Ryan Jones when Wales played South Africa and New Zealand?
He wouldn’t come near the South Africa or New Zealand match squads, if available.
Jean de Villiers has performed consistently well for South Africa this year. Richie McCaw, although not at his best, was still better than any Northern Hemisphere loosie by a mile. Brad Thorn has been brilliant.
Yet none of them were nominated.
I think it’s time that the IRB re-look at the way points are awarded for nomination. The system is clearly flawed.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.
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