IRB FAIL
All Blacks captain, Richie McCaw, in what can be deemed as a complete joke, has been named the International Rugby Board Player of the Year for 2009.
The 28-year-old McCaw became the first person to have been awarded rugby’s most prestigious individual accolade twice, having previously been named IRB Player of the Year in 2006.
Now before the die-hard McCaw fans put a hit out on me, let me explain: There is no doubt in anyone’s mind that McCaw is a great player, perhaps one of the best to ever play the game, as well as an inspirational leader. The teams he has played for have for many years dominated the face of rugby worldwide, but let’s be honest, 2009 was not anywhere near McCaw’s best year in the game. In-fact, 2009 has been one of the weakest years I have ever seen in All Black rugby.
[Remember the video we posted of just how KAK the All Blacks have actually been this year?]
He was injured for the beginning of the season, playing only 10 tests. He didn’t have a great Super 14, nor did he win the Tri Nations, where he was largely dominated by the new kid on the block, Heinrich Brussow.
If you look at the stats [Rugby Stats] McCaw made less tackles on average than Brussow did, made less turnovers than both George Smith and Jaque Fourie and gave away the same amount of penalties on average.
Perhaps McCaw could have won the award in 2008, but the award is called the “IRB Player of the Year Award” because it should be awarded to the best player of the current year, based on that year’s form alone, not past form, nor reputation. The fact that he won baffles my mind in a year where Both Fourie du Preez and Brian O’Driscoll have been ahead of him.
Being a South African, maybe I am biased, but let’s take a look at Fourie du Preez’s year in rugby:
- Played a massive role in the Bulls’ victorious Super 14 campaign.
- Was inspirational in the Springbok’s series win over the B&I Lions.
- Dominated the competition during the 2009 Tri Nations tournament.
- Had a marked impact on the Bulls’ comeback to win the 2009 Currie Cup.
- Was consistently the best rugby player in the world in 2009
Let’s call a spade a spade here. In my opinion, the award went to the wrong player!
What are your thoughts? Should McCaw have won the award? If not, who should it have gone to? Leave your comments below
I am a Huge Richie McCaw fan but………
I agree that Fourie should have got it. Im guessing he was front runner until the Boks blew it in the Northern Hemisphere.
McCaw is a unbelievable player. but unless you play every test, or close to it, you shouldnt gt a look in for the award.
I think All Black player of the year should go to Brad Thorn. But workhorses dont get the accolades.
Fourie has been robbed, but lets not forget, he has world Cup, Tri nations, super 14, B&I Lions and Currie cup trophies so he probably didnt have room anyway.
McCaws cabinet is bare. Maybe the IRB thought the All Blacks (darlings of world Rugby) should have something.
Caps off a stellar year for the IRB, Thy F@#*^ed up all year. Why stop now.
Brian O’Driscoll should of won it by far than anyone else is the best palyer of this time no one comes near him
The IRB really sent the wrong message when they awarded McCaw with the award.if you look at McCaw’s facial expression when they handed the coveted award to him, even he was surprised when he won it.I have seen much better seasons from McCaw then 2009.It seems the IRB feels the need to award the AB’s with something after they had a poor year.Personally, o’driscoll and Du Preez would have made worthy winners.It just shows that although we are in the professional era, the IRB still makes amateurish decisions based on how they feel they should award a player on his reputation rather then performance.This is unacceptable!!!!!!!!!!
@pilferer, well said mate
[...] the best player in the World, Du Preez (who many consider was robbed of the 2009 IRB Player of the year , which was awarded to All Black, Richie McCaw), has extended his contract with the Bulls until [...]