2013 IRB Player of the Year

[Draggs]

Figured we could do a poll as well as discuss.

Eben Etzebeth, Second Row, Stormers/South Africa
Leigh Halfpenny, Fullback, Cardiff Blues/Wales
Sergio Parisse, Number 8, Stade Framboise/Italy
Kieran Read, Number 8, Crusaders/New Zealand
Ben Smith, Wing/Centre/Fullback, Highlanders/New Zealand

 

[ruggabee]

Kieran Reid for sure... The guy has been immense all season while the others have had their moments throughout.

I don't think anyone has been able to consistently maintain a high standard throughout the year like Reid has. The nominee behind Reid I think would be Halfpenny and he recently hasn't hit the heights of the Lions tour.

Edit. Actually Halfpenny was great throughout the Lions tour but I think Ben Smith is behind Reid. That guy has all the skills contributing to an impressive strike rate during the Rugby Championship whereas Halfpenny was a solid player who nailed his kicks.

 

[Rich Taff]

Only problem here is everyone from NZ is going to vote for Reid, from Wales for 1/2p, from SA Etzebeth and the Irish will veto it all due to Brian O'Driscoll's omission.

 

[Draggs]

Nah, someone was clever and added Bin Smuth to split the Kiwi vote.

 

[ruggabee]

Only problem here is everyone from NZ is going to vote for Reid, from Wales for 1/2p, from SA Etzebeth and the Irish will veto it all due to Brian O'Driscoll's omission.

I voted Reid Can you really argue that Halfpenny was as consistent (to a world class standard of course) as Reid throughout the season? Halfpenny only really shone throughout the Lions tour (against an average Australian team). Well that's the only time I noticed him and would be fine with someone pointing out anything else he did other than that.

 

[Big Ewis]

Oh God somebody voted for HP...you FKN WELSHMEN !!!! STOP IT !!.......STOP IT !! C'MAAAANN !!

what ?! Sergio..PARISSE ?!! what the hell did he do, make a try-saving tackle against Australia that would have given them their 10th score ?!
I see where this is coming from, but mehhh...

Soooo I'm gonna vote foooorrrrrrrr.....hmmmmmmmm...............mmmmmm..............Kieran Read.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Amazed that Parisse is there! Is it just to have another NH player in the mix?

Got to be Read, for me - consistently out of this world.

 

[ruggabee]

Nah, someone was clever and added Bin Smuth to split the Kiwi vote.

Aww but Bin Smuth is tha man bruu! Jus chuck him the ball and he's away ay.

 

[Big Ewis]

Amazed that Parisse is there! Is it just to have another NH player in the mix?

Got to be Read, for me - consistently out of this world.

noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.....

 

[Bada-Bing!]

Where's Owen Farrell's nomination?

 

[hjklhjkl]

 

[j'nuh]

Only problem here is everyone from NZ is going to vote for Reid, from Wales for 1/2p, from SA Etzebeth and the Irish will veto it all due to Brian O'Driscoll's omission.

If the IRB had a sense of humour, they'd have put Jonathan Davies up for nomination.

After all, the Lions final test proved who the best 13 in the world is...

 

[TRF_Olyy]

If the IRB had a sense of humour, they'd have put Jonathan Davies up for nomination.

After all, the Lions final test proved who the best 13 in the world is...

Manu Tuilagi?

 

[dullonien]

I voted Reid Can you really argue that Halfpenny was as consistent (to a world class standard of course) as Reid throughout the season? Halfpenny only really shone throughout the Lions tour (against an average Australian team). Well that's the only time I noticed him and would be fine with someone pointing out anything else he did other than that.

Halfpenny must have done something right to be voted 6 nations player of the tournament, as well as Lions player of the series. Amazingly consistent performances at international level throughout the season (throughout his career actually).

Still, tough to look past Reid, he's been phenomenal.

 

[BRSTLDRGN]

Cant see past Reid. I've seen people stating "it should go for Halfpenny as anyone would look good in that NZ team" Just no on that, he's partly why they've been so successful, take him and Ben Smith out that side and its a different All Blacks team.

 

[ruggabee]

Halfpenny must have done something right to be voted 6 nations player of the tournament, as well as Lions player of the series. Amazingly consistent performances at international level throughout the season (throughout his career actually).

Still, tough to look past Reid, he's been phenomenal.

He did something right to be nominated for sure but not on par with what Reid has delivered, which is why the later will win. Maybe it's because I don't follow Wales but the only time I noticed him was throughout the Lions tour.

 

[j'nuh]

Not sure why Corbisiero hasn't been nominated. He was sensational in that one game he was fit enough to play in.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Not sure why Corbisiero hasn't been nominated. He was sensational in that one game he was fit enough to play in.

Haha, on the front page only the first part of your post showed up and I was going to reply with what you put in the second.


I'll probably get torn apart for this but:
Halfpenny is a world class goal kicker, probably the best in the world, however as a fullback he's just consistently good - not amazing. Take away his goalkicking and I don't think half as many would tout him as the best 15 (/best player) in the world.
Don't get me wrong, he's a very good player and his consistency is a big part of his game and Wales can depend on his as a rock in their side - just don't think that's enough to say he's the best player in the world for the past year.

 

[Draggs]

Haha, on the front page only the first part of your post showed up and I was going to reply with what you put in the second.


I'll probably get torn apart for this but:
Halfpenny is a world class goal kicker, probably the best in the world, however as a fullback he's just consistently good - not amazing. Take away his goalkicking and I don't think half as many would tout him as the best 15 (/best player) in the world.
Don't get me wrong, he's a very good player and his consistency is a big part of his game and Wales can depend on his as a rock in their side - just don't think that's enough to say he's the best player in the world for the past year.

I think many would agree with you there, I certainly do.

 

[psychic duck]

Haha, on the front page only the first part of your post showed up and I was going to reply with what you put in the second.


I'll probably get torn apart for this but:
Halfpenny is a world class goal kicker, probably the best in the world, however as a fullback he's just consistently good - not amazing. Take away his goalkicking and I don't think half as many would tout him as the best 15 (/best player) in the world.
Don't get me wrong, he's a very good player and his consistency is a big part of his game and Wales can depend on his as a rock in their side - just don't think that's enough to say he's the best player in the world for the past year.

Spot on there. Many have gone overboard in praises. If Biggar (who is a very good kicker himself) was goal kicking instead of Halfpenny then I bet all of a sudden that Biggar would get a load of more credit. In general, kickers get too much credit for the win whilst the guy who won a penalty in the scrum or ruck will get ignored.