IRB Annual Awards 2013

[Hugh Jarse]

Short list announced on Friday by the IRB:

The 2013 nominees are: Eben Etzebeth (South Africa), Leigh Halfpenny (Wales and British & Irish Lions), Sergio Parisse (Italy), Kieran Read (New Zealand) and Ben Smith (New Zealand).
Full story here:
http://www.irb.com/newsmedia/mediaz...64.html#irb+player+year+shortlisted+announced

Kieran Read must be the favourite, but given previous years announcements, I would not be surprised to see Leigh 1/2p getting the nod.

 

[badabing59]

Just announced:

Kieran Read, player of the year
Hansen, coach of the year
All Blacks, team of the year

Congrats to all.

 

[RoffsChoice]

Only real challenge for coach was Meyer. Otherwise clear winners and Hansen is still a good choice.

 

[Braveheart81]

When a team becomes the first to win every test in the year (in the professional era), they should sweep all the awards.

 

[FrankLind]

Kieran Read tribute video

It is kind of ridiculous how good he is.

 

[A mutterer]

congrats to read and the darkness, they have put on a cracking year of rugby.

however, next year ... (and there's always next year for a wobs tragic)

 

[tigerland12]

Kieran Read, the only All Black that you simply cannot hate.

All class, deserved the award.

 

[tranquility]

True. But if he played for the Waratahs I'd find a way.

 

[Zander]

For once the player who deserved it got the award. Well done IRB, back to farcical awards next year I bet.

 

[scaraby]

anyone know the full list?

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Kieran Read tribute video

It is kind of ridiculous how good he is.

Nice. Just needs to start kicking droppies from halfway & he'll overtake Zinzan as the 2nd-best-ever AB 8... behind Buck, obviously.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

Does he need to have a bit of on-field impromptu surgery in the crown jewel department to be considered the equal of Buck Shelford?

 

[Bardon]

Congrats to Read a well deserved award, easily the standout candidate this year.

 

[The Red Baron]

Kieran Read tribute video

It is kind of ridiculous how good he is.

The bloke is a freak. He really is the template no. 8 for the modern game.

A well deserved award.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Does he need to have a bit of on-field impromptu surgery in the crown jewel department to be considered the equal of Buck Shelford?

It's that incident, hopefully never to be repeated, that elevates Buck above more skilful & rounded AB 8's like Zinny, Read, So'oialo & the mighty BJ Lochore. Since injury replacements were introduced I can't think of anyone who carried on with such a nasty injury. In the no-replacements-for-any-reason dark ages Meads played half a 'bok Test with a broken arm & either Ron Elvidge or Ron Jarden scored a match-winning try with a broken collar bone or badly dislocated shoulder.

Just googled it & it was Elvidge in 1950 v Lions when they were just British, went off with a broken collar bone & facial injury, came back on as we were already down to 14, having lost our prop with a knee injury. I do remember reading about Jarden doing something similar, perhaps it was for Wellington or the AB in a non-Test?

 

[FrankLind]

Read is better than Buck or Zinny.

Neither came close to dominating the game as much as he does.
Buck could nothing other than drive it up the guts. Playing with a busted scrotum shows you are tough, not much else.

 

[Braveheart81]

I think Keiran Read is currently the most complete footballer in world rugby.

He does everything brilliantly.

 

[Hawko]

I think Keiran Read is currently the most complete footballer in world rugby.

He does everything brilliantly.

Zinzan Brook was also a very complete footballer. One of those who could turn a whole match in a moment of brilliance. Comparisons between eras is notoriously hard, as a Wallaby supporter I'd be equally worried if Read or Brooke was on the teamsheet.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

It's that incident, hopefully never to be repeated, that elevates Buck above more skilful & rounded AB 8's like Zinny, Read, So'oialo & the mighty BJ Lochore. Since injury replacements were introduced I can't think of anyone who carried on with such a nasty injury. In the no-replacements-for-any-reason dark ages Meads played half a 'bok Test with a broken arm & either Ron Elvidge or Ron Jarden scored a match-winning try with a broken collar bone or badly dislocated shoulder.

Just googled it & it was Elvidge in 1950 v Lions when they were just British, went off with a broken collar bone & facial injury, came back on as we were already down to 14, having lost our prop with a knee injury. I do remember reading about Jarden doing something similar, perhaps it was for Wellington or the AB in a non-Test?

Was it Read who fell of the tackle on the Radike Samo try that won us in Bled 3 2011? I think that was because he was playing on with a busted wing. Not quite in the same league as above but still pretty gutsy stuff (and good for us ).

 

[Braveheart81]

Was it Read who fell of the tackle on the Radike Samo try that won us in Bled 3 2011? I think that was because he was playing on with a busted wing. Not quite in the same league as above but still pretty gutsy stuff (and good for us ).

That was Adam Thomson.