2014 Awards.

[iINDOMINUSxx]

I saw InTheLoose posted this and I thought this would make a good discussion so I'll post what the fans off the page voted for these individual awards for 2014

1) best player- Duane Vermuelen
2) best young player- Handré pollard
3) Best International Captain- Jean de Villiers
4) best coach- Joe Schmidt
5) best side - All Blacks
6) most improved side- Scotland
7) best club- Northampton
8) unsung heroes- Andy Goode and Courtney Lawes

My thoughts not sure why Northampton is the best club I thought it would be Toulon. This is my list.

1) best player- Brodie Retallick
2) best young player- Jonny Gray
3) Best International Captain- Richie McCaw
4) best coach- Joe Schmidt
5) best side - All Blacks
6) most improved side- Scotland
7) best club- Toulon
8) unsung heroes- Courtney Lawes

So what are your thoughts ?

 

[dasNdanger]

I'm just tickled to see Scotland mentioned as the most improved side.



das

 

[iINDOMINUSxx]

I'm just tickled to see Scotland mentioned as the most improved side.



das

well, they were much better in the Autumn tests then they were in last years six nations. But I was expecting Japan or Ireland to be honest

 

[Croket66]

1) best player- Brodie Retallick
2) best young player- Handré Pollard
3) Best International Captain - Jean de Villiers
4) best coach- Eddie Jones
5) best side - All Blacks
6) most improved side - Ireland
7) best club - Toulon
8) unsung hero - Dany Cipriani

I'll add
9) best Tier2 player - Nemani Nadolo
10) best Tier3 player - Dmitri Arhip

 

[iINDOMINUSxx]

1) best player- Brodie Retallick
2) best young player- Handré Pollard
3) Best International Captain - Jean de Villiers
4) best coach- Eddie Jones
5) best side - All Blacks
6) most improved side - Ireland
7) best club - Toulon
8) unsung hero - Dany Cipriani

I'll add
9) best Tier2 player - Nemani Nadolo
10) best Tier3 player - Dmitri Arhip

Speaking off new categories, I've thought off new one's to add

1.) Best Northern Hemisphere club: Toulon
2.) Best Southern Hemisphere club: Waratahs
3.) Most Improved club: Connacht
4.) Best Tier 2 Side: Fiji

That's all I've got at the moment.

 

[TheSaffycen]

1) Best Player- Duane Vermuelen
2) Best Young Player- Kuridrani (23 does he count ?)
3) Best International captain- McCaw
4) Best Coach- Joe Schmidt
5) Best Team- New Zealand
6) Most Improved- Ireland
7) Best Club- Toulon
8) Unsung Hero- O'Mahony

 

[Every Time Ref]

1) best player - Vermuelen
2) best young player - How young is young? Brodie Retallick is only 23...
3) Best International Captain - McCaw (the boring choice but the inescapable one)
4) best coach - Schmidt or Cotter
5) best side - All Blacks
6) most improved side - Scotland
7) best club - Toulon
8) unsung heroes - Andy Goode is actually a good shout. Or maybe Geraghty

 

[iINDOMINUSxx]

1) Best Player- Duane Vermuelen
2) Best Young Player- Kuridrani (23 does he count ?)
3) Best International captain- McCaw
4) Best Coach- Joe Schmidt
5) Best Team- New Zealand
6) Most Improved- Ireland
7) Best Club- Toulon
8) Unsung Hero- O'Mahony

I'm not actually sure to be honest I would say like under -21 probably.

 

[TRF_heineken]

Doesn't the category of best young player apply to only players who made their debut in that season??

Retallick and Kuridrani have been in the international squad for 2 seasons or more.

For me Pollard should be getting that reward.

 

[dasNdanger]

well, they were much better in the Autumn tests then they were in last years six nations. But I was expecting Japan or Ireland to be honest

I'm guessing Scotland got the attention because (perhaps?) their improvement has been more of a jump than a gradual improving like the other teams. Of course, gradual improvements tend to take hold better than bursts of brilliance, so hopefully Scotland will keep it together for the upcoming 6N.


das

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Yeah, we're really not sure whether Scotland was just a munter with brief access to some very effective make up or a fat bird who's going really well in the gym and given up kebabs yet!

 

[iINDOMINUSxx]

I'm guessing Scotland got the attention because (perhaps?) their improvement has been more of a jump than a gradual improving like the other teams. Of course, gradual improvements tend to take hold better than bursts of brilliance, so hopefully Scotland will keep it together for the upcoming 6N.


das

For Scotland I felt they just needed the coach to give Scotland a lift and a good attacking structure which Vern was perfect for (In my opinion), Scotland as we know already had the players to make a successful squad, Just needed the right man to get them playing and getting them together.