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Two Argentines shortlisted for Player of Year award
By Rex Gowar
PARIS, Oct 8 Reuters - Argentines Juan Martin Hernandez and
Felipe Contepomi are on the five-man shortlist announced on Monday
for the IRB World Player of the Year award.
If either were successful it would be the first time a player
from Argentina, who have reached their first-ever World Cup
semi-final, won the coveted ***le.
France centre Yannick Jauzion, South Africa wing Bryan Habana
and New Zealand captain Richie McCaw, who won the award last year,
have also been shortlisted.
It is particularly significant that two Pumas should be
shortlisted as Argentina do not take part in an annual
international competition.
Flyhalf Hernandez, who also helped Stade Francais win the French
club championship this year, has been at the helm of Argentina's
impressive run to the last four of the World Cup.
Contepomi, a flyhalf for Leinster who has played a key midfield
role alongside Hernandez, is the tournament's second highest scorer
with 64 points in the Pumas' five victories.
"The IRB Player of the Year Award is the ultimate accolade for a
player to receive in his career. It takes on added significance in
a Rugby World Cup," said International Rugby Board chairman Syd
Millar.
"The list of past winners of this prestigious award is very
impressive and comprises players of the calibre of Schalk Burger,
Dan Carter, Jonny Wilkinson, Richie McCaw, Fabien Galthie and Keith
Wood."
The inclusion of Argentina in a major annual international
competition such as the Six Nations or the Tri-Nations is an issue
the IRB has said it is looking into.
The Argentines face South Africa in Sunday's semi-final at the
Stade de France.
"(Argentina) have given southern hemisphere teams very hard
games, it's been the same in Europe, so there's nothing surprising
about it," Millar said of the Pumas' success at the World Cup.
"They've got players in Europe playing at a very high level.
They're in the right position that they deserve," he added of
Argentina's ranking at number four.
By Rex Gowar
PARIS, Oct 8 Reuters - Argentines Juan Martin Hernandez and
Felipe Contepomi are on the five-man shortlist announced on Monday
for the IRB World Player of the Year award.
If either were successful it would be the first time a player
from Argentina, who have reached their first-ever World Cup
semi-final, won the coveted ***le.
France centre Yannick Jauzion, South Africa wing Bryan Habana
and New Zealand captain Richie McCaw, who won the award last year,
have also been shortlisted.
It is particularly significant that two Pumas should be
shortlisted as Argentina do not take part in an annual
international competition.
Flyhalf Hernandez, who also helped Stade Francais win the French
club championship this year, has been at the helm of Argentina's
impressive run to the last four of the World Cup.
Contepomi, a flyhalf for Leinster who has played a key midfield
role alongside Hernandez, is the tournament's second highest scorer
with 64 points in the Pumas' five victories.
"The IRB Player of the Year Award is the ultimate accolade for a
player to receive in his career. It takes on added significance in
a Rugby World Cup," said International Rugby Board chairman Syd
Millar.
"The list of past winners of this prestigious award is very
impressive and comprises players of the calibre of Schalk Burger,
Dan Carter, Jonny Wilkinson, Richie McCaw, Fabien Galthie and Keith
Wood."
The inclusion of Argentina in a major annual international
competition such as the Six Nations or the Tri-Nations is an issue
the IRB has said it is looking into.
The Argentines face South Africa in Sunday's semi-final at the
Stade de France.
"(Argentina) have given southern hemisphere teams very hard
games, it's been the same in Europe, so there's nothing surprising
about it," Millar said of the Pumas' success at the World Cup.
"They've got players in Europe playing at a very high level.
They're in the right position that they deserve," he added of
Argentina's ranking at number four.