‘BOD deserves Player of Year’
Shane Williams believes Brian O’Driscoll should get the IRB Player of the Year award ahead of Fourie du Preez.
The nominees were annnounced on Monday, and yet again there were some surprises. Williams himself was a shock winner in 2008 and couldn’t even start for the Lions in South Africa in the first two Tests this year, but predictably backed his northern hemisphere compatriot to claim the accolade.
‘I’ve seen the shortlist, there are some great names on it,’ said Williams. ‘I’m sure with everything he has achieved this year, it may go to Brian. It would be nice. He’s a good friend of mine, and he certainly deserves it.
‘With winning the Grand Slam [Ireland] and the Heineken Cup [Leinster] and having a great Lions tour, and scoring on the weekend against Australia, he’s back to his best really,’ said Williams, forgetting Du Preez won the Lions series with the Boks, the Tri-Nations, and was instrumental for the Bulls in their Super 14 and Currie Cup triumphs.
‘He has worked hard to get there and he would deserve the accolade,’ added Williams.
The other nominees are Tom Croft, Jamie Heaslip, Matt Giteau, Rich McCaw and Frans Steyn. The nomination of players such as Steyn, Croft (who has been dropped by lowly England) and Heaslip – who was quiet in the Lions series until the third Test against a weakened Bok side – shows how flawed the process is and by the end of the November internationals it wouldn’t be surprising if O’Driscoll edges Du Preez.
The announcement will be made next weekend.
November 21st, 2009 at 3:53 pm
#100 AiDoc:
hehe, OPST
November 21st, 2009 at 6:26 pm
Who gives a rat’s arse what Shane williams thinks ?!
November 21st, 2009 at 6:32 pm
I’d give it to Stewart the **** Dickinson – he’s had more effect on the result of any match he’s been in than any of the players.
November 21st, 2009 at 6:45 pm
BOD’s a shoe in for the prize
SA probably would have won the big prizes without FdeP
BOD nearly single handedly won the grand slam himself
November 22nd, 2009 at 10:09 am
It will be a travesty if Du Preez doesnot win this..
November 22nd, 2009 at 10:30 am
#104 Flametop: DO you even know what you are taking about? Your 9 is one of the most important players on the field. Fourie Du Preez is the best rugby player in the world at the moment!! And probably has the best pass in the history of the game along with the most potent tactical kicking games I’ve seen for many a year!! The entire Bok and Bulls game plan revolves around him!! Dont make such foolish comments!!
November 22nd, 2009 at 10:33 am
It should be Fourie Du Preez, the rightful winner but BOD might get it and that would be no disgrace either to be honest.
November 22nd, 2009 at 10:37 am
skop doesn’t like FDP because he kicks it most of the time instead of giving the ball to the backs, but really skop when you look at how inept the backline attack is I think FDP is right to kick it lol
November 22nd, 2009 at 11:58 am
#106 ShaunMichaels:
When your 10 is standing deep for the next endless up and under even Peter Stringer could do a job
Look, no doubt he’s a great player but his influence on results this year is nowhere near BOD’s