The IRPA has announced the shortlist for the Player of the Year and World XV of the Year.
The 45-man shortlist, prepared by a panel of IRPA recently retired international players, features players from 11 nations.
Unsurprisingly, New Zealand make up 15 players of the list with only the tighthead position not covered by any of the All Blacks.
Wales are next in line with eight players while Alex Corbisiero is the only representative from England after his demolition job of the Wallabies scrum with the British & Irish Lions last summer.
The winners will be announced at a ceremony on November 26 and fans can vote for their favourite players on www.ultimaterugby.com.
The shortlist for the Fans’ Player and World XV player of the Year awards (in order of playing position) is:
1. Vincent Debaty (Fra), Alex Corbiseiro (Eng), Marcos Ayerza (Arg)
2. Bismarck Du Plessis (SA), Benjamin Kayser (Fra) Richard Hibbard (Wal)
3. Juan Figallo (Arg), Adam Jones (Wal), Census Johnston (Sam)
4. Sam Whitelock (NZ), Eben Eztebeth (SA), Joe Tekori (Sam)
5. James Horwill (Aus), Brodie Retallick (NZ), Alun Wyn Jones (Wal)
6. Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe (Arg), Louis Picomoles (Fra), Liam Messam(NZ).
7. Sean O’Brien (Ire), Richie McCaw (NZ), Francois Louw (SA)
8. Kieran Read (NZ), Sergio Parisse (Ita), Toby Faletau (Wal)
9. Kahn Fotuali’l (Sam), Aaron Smith (NZ), Will Genia (Aus)
10. Dan Carter (NZ), Johnny Sexton (Ire), Aaron Cruden (NZ)
11. George North (Wal), Julian Savea (NZ), Sitiveni Sivivatu (NZ)
12. Jamie Roberts (Wal), Ma’a Nonu (NZ), Jean DeVilliers (SA)
13. Wesley Fofana (Fra), Jonathan Davies (Wal), Conrad Smith (NZ)
14. Israel Folau (Aus), Ben Smith (NZ), Napolioni Nalaga (Fiji)
15. Willie Le Roux (SA), Leigh Halfpenny (Wal), Israel Dagg (NZ)
Who do you think is missing from this list? Who is your Player of the Year? Let us know on Twitter or Facebook.
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Eben Myrddin (@Myrddinmuse)
13 November 2013 at 10:29 pm
Shouldn’t Le Roux and Folau’s numbers be switched? I mean, Folau having played his best rugby at fullback, and Le Roux at the wings? I don’t know..
Tom C
14 November 2013 at 10:32 am
how did any Australia players get on here, especially Horwill, when they’ve lost so many games this year?! And only 1 England player even though we only lost 1 game?! Suprised winning lions captain Warburton not on there. No idea why Jamie Roberts is on there. Player of the year simply has to be Leigh Halfpenny though – Wales wouldn’t have won the 6 Nations without him and the lions would not have won so convincingly or perhaps even the first test at all without him
davidfinnrogers
14 November 2013 at 6:51 pm
Alex Corbiseiro (Eng)
Bismarck Du Plessis (SA)
Adam Jones (Wal)
Sam Whitelock (NZ)
Brodie Retallick (NZ)
Liam Messam(NZ)
Richie McCaw (NZ)
Kieran Read (NZ)
Aaron Smith (NZ)
Dan Carter (NZ)
George North (Wal)
Jean DeVilliers (SA)
Conrad Smith (NZ)
Ben Smith (NZ)
Israel Dagg (NZ)
Unbeatable!
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