Brilliant Du Preez snubbed
29 Nov 2009
Fourie du Preez has unbelievably been overlooked for the IRB World Player of the Year award, with Richie McCaw claiming the top prize.
In a decision even more perplexing than the 2008 one which saw Wales wing Shane Williams win the award ahead of more deserving candidates, McCaw, who was anonymous in three defeats to the Springboks this year and nowhere near as prolific for the Crusaders as he has been in the past, was preferred to the superlative Du Preez.
The Bulls man was without peer in world rugby in 2009, playing a central role in the franchises Super 14 and Currie Cup success and in the Springboks’ Tri-Nations and British & Irish Lions campaigns.
The snub, and that of coach Peter de Villiers, who has lost just four of 12 Tests in 2009 (one of those in which he opted to field an understrength side with the Lions series sealed), for the Coach of the Year award (Ireland’s Declan Kidney won), won’t do anything to dispel the growing perception that the IRB has an axe to grind with the world champions.
The selection panel of Will Greenwood, Gavin Hastings, Raphaël Ibanez, Francois Pienaar, Agustin Pichot, Scott Quinnell, Tana Umaga, Paul Wallace and convenor John Eales, supposedly watched over 63 hours of action from 49 matches, awarding points to the three players they thought stood out in each match.
If this is the case, those who voted for McCaw either conveniently forgot to take delivery of the Springboks’ footage, or, despite their illustrious careers, know nothing about the game.
Let us also not forget that they omitted other exceptional Springboks Victor Matfield, Heinrich Brussow and Morne Steyn from the shortlist, all of whom have outshone the other candidates – Ireland’s Jamie Heaslip and Brian O’Driscoll, Australia’s Matt Giteau and England’s Tom Croft.
The IRB couldn’t be so blatantly biased as to overlook the Springboks for the Team of the Year award, and they deservedly scooped won that category, but it doesn’t ease the sense of frustration at being cheated out of the two other premier prizes.
By Ryan Vrede
354 Comments
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29 Nov 2009, 12:24 pm
@nama1: #37
Look dude if you want to argue… stick on topic…
I’ll type slowly for your benefit..
lapoftherugbygods said that in his opinion McCaw was the dominant rugby player this year… or words to that effect…
I made the point that he did not dominate Heinrich Brussow… therefore… by definition he couldn’t be the claimed dominant player this year…
that was my point… done and dusted…
If you think FdP was ‘owned’ that’s your opinion and nothing to do with the comment I was making… But if you think he was why don’t you just come right out and state your opinion that he was owned and who owned him… instead of beating about the bush and trying to draw me into a discussion I have no interest in…
If you think Du Preez was owned… good for you…
29 Nov 2009, 12:26 pm
@Puma:
That is true Puma. And that is why, even though the AB’s are rated (according to the IRB Rankings) the best Team in the World, they do NOT deserve a mention in the awards.
Boks number 2 Team for sure.
But any Team, that in 5 NH games, can only win against Italy, does not deserve this Award.
Ireland drew with Aussie. Their only blemish.
29 Nov 2009, 12:26 pm
@mbaxman93:
in your debut year, after convincing a nation that they never needed a fetcher, well its understandable that youre a little drunk on the excitement of it.
Brussow is wonderful at the breakdown. But he was nowhere in Brisbane and was rightly pinged, repeatedly, for cheating infringements in Durban (bridging, blocking off) that he was getting away with the previous week in Bloem. In Hamilton, McCaw was most certainly the dominant figure.
Brussow – certainly newcomer of the year (and Ive been saying as such all year). But to say he’s “owning” this or someone is his “b*tch”, well it appears youve got Pumas hyperbole disease and are desperately searching for solace in the wake of defeat.
29 Nov 2009, 12:27 pm
@Flametop:
If he was a Kiwi BOD wouldn’t be playing test rugby – Umaga and now Conrad Smith are both better than him
29 Nov 2009, 12:27 pm
@Puma:
#46
Puma, when the award (for the team) went to SA you call it fair but when it went against SA (individual player) you call it not fair and said the panel is a useless bunch.
You cannot have it both ways.
29 Nov 2009, 12:28 pm
@WakaNathan:
” then when ?”
Exactly.
29 Nov 2009, 12:29 pm
@WakaNathan: Waka to play the ABs 3 times and beat them 3 times. Now that is really testing not playing once off games in the NH. Which to me means nothing those games. Jake used to take understrength teams up there as we never worry too much about them. This year we took part of our full strength team. Exhausted from too much rugby. Should never have played CC until end of Oct.
4 missing players too and injuries eveywhere. Don’t count those one off games. Count games where you are really tested by playing each other 3 or even twice. One off games don’t say much. Had we had another chance agains those teams we may have beaten them. You know that Waka. Do you think Ireland would have beaten Abs 3 times and Oz twice and a combined TriNations team twice (They had a combined Irish and British Lions we had to play) So can only compare a combined Trinations side. NO they would never have. Boks are tops this year Waka give us our due. I always give ABs theirs when they win Team of the Year and when they beat us in Tri-Nations. I think you know we deserved it though buddy.
McCaw was injured a big part of this year. Come now Waka he never played that great against us. FdP should have won it everyone in the world knows it. McCaw should have won it last year too and the whole world knew that too. They just making amends for last year. So maybe next year when FdP may be nowhere they will give it to him to someone that should win it. Stupid and will never ever give these awards respect ever if they keep doing that. Just makes a mockery of the awards. Feel angry that FdP never got it. Like I felt angry last year that McCaw never and should have. He never deserved it this year. Forget about the NH tour. Think of the whole year.
Ag, really not going to take these stupid awards serious again. Seems it just suits who they want to win it.
Going for a swim now. Weather great here and our cricket is falling apart too. Going to lose to England today as well after thrashing them on Friday. Rather cool off in the pool
Cheers Waka.
29 Nov 2009, 12:30 pm
@cane:
It’s not based on a calendar year – the year in question is from last year’s November internationals to before these matches. If it included these November games that would have counted against the Boks, but these are only considered for next year’s awards
29 Nov 2009, 12:33 pm
@Robzim: Well they got it half right. But half right is not good enough.
How could McCaw have beaten FdP to that award Rob? Be fair and honest now.
FdP head and shoulder above McCaw. Give credit where it is due mate. FdP should have won it. I think McCaw knows that very well too.
29 Nov 2009, 12:34 pm
OH STOP BITCHING YOU WOMEN!!!!
SA got team of the year because we beat the Lions (that was the deciding factor between us and the Irish).
29 Nov 2009, 12:35 pm
On Keo’s New Poll they ask:
Who is the best Team in the World right now?
SA.
NZ.
Ireland.
The All Blacks currently have 100% of the votes cast.
29 Nov 2009, 12:37 pm
@Puma:
Reality shows that we can’t play under NH conditions (which must be said are more suited to the ABs than the Boks).
Forget the tired playesr and the missing players. We made the same basic mistake we’ve been making in the 2000′s – chosing the wrong team to play in wet/soft conditions.
The claim was our forwards were’nt dominant in the first 2 internationals. they were yesterday and we still lost.
Also claims that Adi and Kanko weren’t fgood enough. We still lost without them.
The message is clear but the Bok management are too thick to achkowledge it.
29 Nov 2009, 12:37 pm
@cane:
NOOOOOO, I just gave the Boks a 25% stake
29 Nov 2009, 12:39 pm
@cane: Cane eoyt tours never mean much Cane. You play a team once off. Should be schduled different. We should have played France 3 times or Ireland 3 times. Much better that way you can judge the best team from that. Not once off. Any team can win a once off. Just ask Scotland
Playing here against ABs/Boks and Oz now that is bloody tough. We play each other 3 times and travel huge distance to do so. To win that is a true test not a once off game. No my friend I don’t rate once off games. I think you understand though
Bring back the tours or if we have to go to NH let us play one team 3 times not jump about and play once against this and that one. Rotate the tours too. Once in SH eoyt and we go their NH the next. Forget the In-coming June tests they mean nothing as they send us their 2nd or 3rd side.
Okay not off for my swim. HOT here today and the pool just looking great and inviting.
Catch up later. Cheers Cane.
29 Nov 2009, 12:39 pm
@Puma:
Because FDP showed that he can’t respond under pressure and is also a premaddonna ( and a petulent one at that).
29 Nov 2009, 12:40 pm
meant scheduled.
29 Nov 2009, 12:41 pm
@CenturionShark (aka LondonShark):
They were without doubt the 2nd best Team London.
But too many blemishes later on.
- Saracens.
- Leister.
- France.
- Ireland.
- Australia.
Irelands single blemish, if you can call it that, a draw with OZ.
If they can’t win the Award with that kind of record, then when?
29 Nov 2009, 12:42 pm
Oco, Howzit mate, Jeepers never getting to go for my swim.
No buddy he should have won that award. Just like McCaw should have last year. It is a disgrace. Think they made amends to McCaw this year. He is a damn decent bloke McCaw and I think he knows that FdP deserved it. Like a slap in the face to FdP like it was to McCaw last year when they gave it to SW.
Okay now out of here for my swim. Catch up later.
29 Nov 2009, 12:44 pm
@CenturionShark (aka LondonShark):
LOL…………………..mine was the only vote when I made the Post.
Glad you are doing your bit to keep a ballance London.
29 Nov 2009, 12:47 pm
@cane: Cane buddy, that swim still coming….hehe.
Cane you know well that Sarries and Tigers were played by development teams from SA. That was not our Boks. It has not been said we won’t do that again (letting a development team travel with the test side) otherwise people think they have beaten the Boks which they have not. Boks played 3 tests and lost 2. We never lost to the clubs Cane. Our development team did. We should have had our 2nd best chosen to tour but they never got selected. Not good enough for players that have played their hearts out not to get selected. They wont make that mistake again. Always choose the best test side and best dirt trackers.
Okay now for sure out of here for my swim. Cheers.
29 Nov 2009, 12:47 pm
Sorry mistake there. Meant – It has been said.
29 Nov 2009, 12:51 pm
As for Ryan’s column, what a load of hogwash. It’s about time journos and the rest actually start watching the rugby rather than listening to the supposed commentators.
Couple of points:
1) Vs Italy “Great tackle by Matfield” No it wasn’t it was Kanko who made the tackle.
2) On Schalk knocking on vs Ireland “There was a hand in there that prevented Burger getting clean ball – Skinstad”. No, replay showed no hand but Burger knocked on 3 times trying to pick the ball up unopposed.
The commos say what they want to believe, not reality (as evidenced by the replays).
FdP is not as good as the SA press (or Bulls supporters) want to believe. No sniping runs like any good scrummie (think of Joost but he id over do it).
FdP always complains if he is even touched on the field. Maybe he can move to Holywood and join other stars who feel the same.
29 Nov 2009, 12:52 pm
Hondo:
Have you watched a replay of the match yet? I would love to see your rating of the players performance. Please put it up for us.
29 Nov 2009, 12:52 pm
What a stupid poll.
The facts are NZ are the best team in the world.
The poll should be reworded to say who is your favourite team
29 Nov 2009, 12:53 pm
@Puma:
Cheers Puma but we will disagree on this one. If it was an SA player it should have been ‘rocket launcher’ who adds a completely different aspect on the game. FdP is just a lot of hype.
29 Nov 2009, 12:57 pm
@Puma:
sorry Puma but the Saracens and Leicester did beat the Boks.
I see what you are saying but to say that wasnt the Boks is a bit rude to those players that put on that Jersey for the first time.
29 Nov 2009, 12:58 pm
@Puma:
They Played as South Africa.
Before they lost, I didn’t see any reference to these Teams as Developement Teams.
To try to pass off these loses, as SA “B”, or something akin to that, is to belittle the huge achievement of those who won on the day.
Get out into the ocean Puma…………………..you only live once.
29 Nov 2009, 13:02 pm
Where are Leicester in the IRB rankings?
29 Nov 2009, 13:03 pm
@rich1:
Please stop…..you’re killing me and embarrassing yourself
29 Nov 2009, 13:04 pm
@chch – welcome back Laulala:
on par with the Saracens i believe.
IRB Rankings below
1) NZ
1.5) Saracens and Leicester
2)Boks
29 Nov 2009, 13:05 pm
Why only three NH players in the Barbarians?
29 Nov 2009, 13:08 pm
@Hurricane:
29 Nov 2009, 13:12 pm
@chch – welcome back Laulala:
I counted 5 NH players and 9 or 10 SA players. So much for the players being fatigued.Wave some cash in their face and all of a sudden 2 new legs appear
29 Nov 2009, 13:14 pm
@Hurricane:
But according to earlier South African posts all these players only play for their b team anyway?
29 Nov 2009, 13:15 pm
How do they rate the coach of the year. It is not fair to say that the team that won the most has got the best coach. If that was the case then the team of the year will always have the coach of the year.
29 Nov 2009, 13:19 pm
@chch – welcome back Laulala:
CHCH,you know by now how it rolls here with some people. The B team counts only if the B team wins.
Backs:
Leigh Halfpenny (Wales), Bryan Habana (South Africa), Joe Rokocoko (New Zealand), Drew Mitchell (Australia), Jamie Roberts (Wales), Jaque Fourie (South Africa), Morne Steyn (South Africa), Matt Giteau (Australia), Fourie du Preez (South Africa), Will Genia (Australia)
Forwards:
Bismarck du Plessis (South Africa), Stephen Moore (Australia), Tendai ‘Beast’ Mtawarira (South Africa), WP Nel (Free State Cheetahs), Salvatore Perugini (Italy), Victor Matfield (South Africa), Danie Rossouw (South Africa), Carlo del Fava (Italy), Rocky Elsom (Australia), Schalk Burger (South Africa), George Smith (Australia), Andy Powell (Wales)
I am hoping these are the teams anyways
29 Nov 2009, 13:37 pm
#58
Puma:
LoL, half right according to who?
I have no idea whether Richie thinks he deserve it or not – did he make a statement?
I never said he should have won either – personally I think BOD deserved it more.
Anyway, there is no scientific way in which we can determine who is the best player in a team sport like rugby.
I do however think the combined vote of a team of respected ex international players from all over the world counts for more than the opinion of any individual blogger on Keo.
29 Nov 2009, 13:44 pm
i want some blood pudding for st andrews day
29 Nov 2009, 13:44 pm
although i actually dont pay much attention to these awards, especially as it meant we kept the 2004 IRB player of the year at openside for bloody years when it was patently obvious he couldnt fetch for toffee….my 2 c worth….
Team of the year…Ireland…boks stuffed it up last 5 games.
Player of the year….H Brussow
Coach of the year…Kidney….PDV blew it the last month.
29 Nov 2009, 13:48 pm
@chch – welcome back Laulala:
I think the problem’s with the clubs not releasing them. The BaaBaas match ia outside the test window.
29 Nov 2009, 13:51 pm
@grant10: no I rate we do deserve the IRB team award… we won the Lions series, tri-nats and Super 14 (well not we the Bulls won that)
29 Nov 2009, 13:52 pm
@ufo: #50
Thanks for typing slow. I nearly understand what you are saying.
Enjoy your day.
29 Nov 2009, 13:55 pm
WHAT A CROCK OF **** IT SHOULD OF BEEN DU PREEZFOR SURE
29 Nov 2009, 13:55 pm
As an Irish fan, I think it’s fairly clear that the Boks were the team of the year – we had a great year compared to where we were last year, but we are still very much a work-in-progress. The Boks seem to have peaked this summer (SH winter) and at their best were clearly the best team anywhere this year.
On the same note, Declan Kidney is 100 deserving of the Coach award. He took a team of players who had been stripped of all confidence and were looking forward to possibly slipping behind England in the NH pecking order and won the 6 Nations (albet in an ugly way) and there are real signs he is starting to develop a winning style of play. The big tests will come on the SH tour next year, but there is definitely cause for confidence.
I am stunned by the POTY decision, though. McCaw has struggled with injuries this year and never hit his best form. Brian O’Driscoll was the outstanding player in the 6 Nations. His tries against Wales and England were spectacular – it looked as if there was no way he could ever ground the ball, but he found his way in. Oh well, McCaw is the best player in the world, so I can’t complain too much, but BOD deserved the award this time.
29 Nov 2009, 13:56 pm
@SpringbokSarah: ireland unbeaten all year….and beat Boks….
Boks lost to 2 club teams as well?
A bit of a stretch to call that team of the year in my opinion
29 Nov 2009, 13:57 pm
@cane: Yep…I voted for them ’cause I do believe right now they are the best in form team…but that was not the case a couple of months ago…@Hurricane: Baabaas will get creamed once again..
@Dubbelnul: PdV has been exposed due to only having one game plan…a Bull’s gameplan..
@Robzim: Richie’s always there or thereabouts…for the lack of any consistant oposition his award is well deserved
29 Nov 2009, 13:57 pm
as robzim says…no way to actually scientifically decide…all bull really….
29 Nov 2009, 13:57 pm
@cane:
Cane, lets be honest. The Boks won the matches that count, and have the silverware to prove it.
Would Ireland be able to beat the 3N away from home (like we beat Aus and NZL)? Never in a million years. Did they play France away from home (like SA and NZL did)?
Like I said, the Lions tour gave SA the edge.
29 Nov 2009, 13:59 pm
amazed some 1 eyed bats didnt ask for smit as tighthead …
29 Nov 2009, 13:59 pm
@grant10: …and Irish coach totally outsmarted SA coach..!!
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