And the winners are …
2 Dec 2009
Keo.co.za picks the real winners and losers of 2009.
THE HEROES
Test Player of the Year – How the IRB overlooked Fourie du Preez for their Player of the Year award in favour of Richie McCaw is perplexing. He was the fulcrum around which the Springboks rotated in the British & Irish Lions series and in the Tri-Nations. Seven of the nine judges are from the northern hemisphere, where the All Blacks are revered, while selection convenor John Eales is known to be anti-Bok. Testament to this is that he wanted Juan Martin Hernandez named World Player of the Year in 2007 ahead of the irrepressible Bryan Habana. Thankfully sanity prevailed that time, but it seems he has had his revenge. Despite the unbelievable call, Du Preez should be content in the knowledge that we think he’s the business. That’s all that matters. Victor Matfield was phenomenal and Heinrich Brüssow established himself as the finest openside flank on the planet in 2009, but Du Preez’s consistent brilliance earns him the prize.
Test Rookie of the Year – Who else but the prolific Morné Steyn. One should never underestimate the mental strength it took for him to come off the bench in the second Lions Test, have a short while to settle, then kick a 50m series-winning penalty to banish 12 years of heartache. He then carried his form into the Tri-Nations and showed that he had the aptitude to not only survive, but excel, against the world’s best players.
Test Young Gun of the Year – Since his rise to prominence in 2008, Dewald Potgieter had Springbok written all over him. He resembles a rookie Schalk Burger – bustling, powerful and fearless – and looks the natural successor to the Springbok treasure. His debut against Ireland was too brief to establish his capacity to play at Test level, but he’ll get more opportunities in future, and will develop into one of the great Springboks. Francois Hougaard didn’t show the full range of his ability on tour, but be assured, he is a quality scrumhalf, one who Fourie du Preez has tipped to succeed him.
Mighty Mouse Award – The physique of a juiced-up dwarf but the heart the size of South Africa and wonderful skills to boot – Heinrich Brüssow turned in some sensational performances in 2009. When he was burning white hot he was unstoppable, and even when he was ordinary he still made his presence felt, particularly at the breakdown. By the end of the season, the France and Ireland players couldn’t stop talking about him as the primary threat, which bears testament to the telling impact he’s made in 2009. Schalk who? Nah, kidding, but if Brüssow is anywhere near as good as he was this season in 2010, there may not be so much jest to that statement when you read this awards piece next year.
Test Try of the Year – Jaque Fourie’s two-fingered salute to the Springbok coaching staff for omitting him from the starting line-up against the Lions. He came on, as a wing, and negotiated a number of defenders en route to the try that dragged the Springboks back into the contest, and ultimately saw them go on to win the series. Brilliant.
Coach of the Year – John Smit held the Springboks together and even made the substitution calls during the second Test after the coaching staff’s ‘mare at King’s Park. Read between the lines of his book and you’ll reach the same conclusion: without Smitty, the Boks are on auto-pilot.
With special mentions to: The Springbok Sevens side for winning their first ever title.
THE VILLAINS
The Foot in Mouth Award – He’s toned it down over the last six months, but the king retains his crown purely for the madcap utterances during the Lions series. From allusions to ballet to eye-gouging lions on the highveld, Peter de Villiers entertained as much as he embarrassed.
The Sultans of Spin – The British and Irish media for dubbing the Lions tour a resounding success despite a 2-1 scoreline in favour of the Boks. Those who are interested should visit their local newsagent for a look at tour books written by respected journalists that unequivocally claim the Lions so nearly won the series 3-0. Laughable.
The Wet Nappy Whinge Award – This accolade goes to a player referred to by some Boks as ‘The Wanker of the Tour’. Mike Phillips niggled on the field and was the sorest of losers off it after the Lions went down in Pretoria.
The Brain Explosion Award – Sireli Naqelevuki for his high-tackle in the dying seconds of the Currie Cup semi-final. When will he prove worth the money and effort Province produced to extract him from Fiji?
With special mention to: The IRB Awards panel – Honestly, what were you drinking when you named Richie McCaw the Player of the Year? He missed half the Tri-Nations through injury and was captain of a Crusaders side that bowed out in the Super 14 semi-finals. Fourie du Preez and Brian O’Driscoll were the only players in this race.
Worst boots-to-performance ratio - The most impressive thing about Lote Tuqiri’s rugby these days is his flashy boots.
Dirtiest attempt at a moustache – Matt Giteau’s was pretty gross and Drew Mitchell won’t keep any photos of his, but the dirtiest Movember effort goes to Corey Jane.
By Jon Cardinelli and Ryan Vrede
326 Comments
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2 Dec 2009, 05:24 am
Best blogger?
2 Dec 2009, 05:28 am
This JWWW home spin website is starting to read like a joke. Can’t you guys start couching your JW propaganda spin just a little more subtly or do you have to keep blurting it out with every syllable and sentence uttered?
2 Dec 2009, 05:32 am
This is hilarious…
“Test Player of the Year – How the IRB overlooked Fourie du Preez for their Player of the Year award in favour of Richie McCaw is perplexing. He was the fulcrum around which the Springboks rotated in the British & Irish Lions series and in the Tri-Nations. Seven of the nine judges are from the northern hemisphere, where the All Blacks are revered, while selection convenor John Eales is known to be anti-Bok. Testament to this is that he wanted Juan Martin Hernandez named World Player of the Year in 2007 ahead of the irrepressible Bryan Habana. Thankfully sanity prevailed that time, but it seems he has had his revenge. Despite the unbelievable call, Du Preez should be content in the knowledge that we think he’s the business. That’s all that matters. Victor Matfield was phenomenal and Heinrich Brüssow established himself as the finest openside flank on the planet in 2009, but Du Preez’s consistent brilliance earns him the prize.”
the part where NH are pro Black and John Eales is ant-bok.
Who smoked drugs and made this up.
It seems there is always an excuse for a Bok loss or loss of selection.
FDP is not that great he does not have a consistent effect on his side than what MCaw does.
2 Dec 2009, 05:35 am
Hernandez is a good player playing in a team of somewhat mediocrity.
Its not him choosing sides. we all kbnow how good hernandex was in the world cup.
Habana was on the receiving end of strong Bok side whilst hernandez made the Pumas look good.
Hernandez is a playmaker and Habana is a catch and run player.
2 Dec 2009, 05:38 am
The Wet Nappy Whinge Award – the Boks after losing to Ireland. eye gouge affair. And the national anthem singer distracted us.
2 Dec 2009, 05:45 am
@wallabie.: you forgot the armband saga, the travel excuses, quotas, Aussie/NZ reffing alliance (NH division), PDV… just scraping the surface…
2 Dec 2009, 05:45 am
@wallabie.:
mmmm wallaby you are showing your bias now (Is that not what we are talking about?) The AB’s shout eye gouge, with no video proof and they are not whinging? Come on mate, your trawling is getting tedious.
2 Dec 2009, 05:51 am
@poppa69:
yeah, you pooftas only mention travel when you play a game back in NZ after a short roadtrip to Africa. Why do you use it as an excuse then?
Forward passes, refs, travel (when it suits you) are all excuses I’ve heard from your lot as well ya schmuck. Add to that injuries, rotation, sack the coach cause he lost the WC and you have a sack of excuses just as high as the next team!
Time to do your rounds again…………go check all the doors are locked.
2 Dec 2009, 05:53 am
Would sure be a nice change when everyone starts getting just a little bit objective.
I guess patriotism and objectivity don’t usually go hand in hand but I’m sure we could still all try. Just a little.
2 Dec 2009, 05:54 am
@whatever: I cant have locked them all, your the one idiot that got out of his cage…
vatso katvis!!!
2 Dec 2009, 05:54 am
@whatever: Seems as if you live in NZ, why when you have such a problem with kiwis?
2 Dec 2009, 05:55 am
@skopskiet: Well said
2 Dec 2009, 05:58 am
@Waster:
Where did you read that mate? Read the full transcript and then come talk to me. No beef with the country or the people in general, just some of the a-holes who come on here having a go at my country and team. Just defending things dude!
2 Dec 2009, 05:59 am
@poppa69:
So, poppa why did you run your country? Real reason?
2 Dec 2009, 06:00 am
@whatever: because you moved there, and we already have enough ugly sheilas, but you must be happy with your Miss Ugly NZ award… congrats on that too…
2 Dec 2009, 06:01 am
@whatever: I just guessed, some of us actually come here to get unbiased opinions, like from Skopskiet,
Got to agree that it is a scary prospect if Brussow keeps on as he is going, good to see
2 Dec 2009, 06:03 am
@poppa69:
Good, don’t come back either dude, cause we taking over. At least I like shielas….
2 Dec 2009, 06:04 am
@Waster:
Hehe, unbiased opinions from skopskiet? Stick around dude, you in for a bumpy ride
2 Dec 2009, 06:04 am
@whatever: why did you leave SA ?? the fall of apartheid not to your liking huh?
2 Dec 2009, 06:06 am
@whatever: Been sticking around for a long time, just don’t post often, read number 9 for what I mean
2 Dec 2009, 06:06 am
@poppa69:
No, just felt like shagg’n some ugly shiela’s and there wern’t any in SA………..so I came to NZ. You know the old “hunt the grunt” comp?
2 Dec 2009, 06:06 am
@Waster:
He does have his momments……….
2 Dec 2009, 06:07 am
@whatever: hahaha no ugly sheilas in SA… thanks, proof that you are DELUSIONAL… try living in the real world mate..
2 Dec 2009, 06:08 am
What an intellectually stimulating start to the day. Such razor sharp wit and subtle verbal ripostes.
2 Dec 2009, 06:09 am
@whatever: I read some purely nasty stuff on here, at least his point is valid
2 Dec 2009, 06:10 am
@poppa69:
Enjoy your night shift dude. I must run. By the way, they paying you minimum wage there?
2 Dec 2009, 06:11 am
so its alright whatever for you to defend your country, but when we do it its not ok… quick, get back into your straight jacket and take some more medication…
you still havent answered why you left SA, guess my assumption was right huh…
2 Dec 2009, 06:12 am
@Waster:
he does have some good posts, occasional wit to, but unbiased? not really. Ask him about JW
2 Dec 2009, 06:12 am
@whatever: running off from the fight again mate… all bluster no substance, typical!
2 Dec 2009, 06:12 am
@poppa69: Entirely too many people like him in NZ
2 Dec 2009, 06:13 am
@poppa69:
No mate, decided that having a 9mm pointed at my head twice was once too many times. Reasonable decision I would have thought? But when it comes to reason, you were obviously not in the que!
2 Dec 2009, 06:15 am
@Waster:
Bud, I got no beef with you. How come it’s now okay for you to generalise? Two faced doos!
2 Dec 2009, 06:15 am
@Waster:
Oh, get use to it, there’s more comming. Maybe you should head over the ditch as well??
2 Dec 2009, 06:16 am
@Waster: I doubt that… honestly, its because he gets on his high horse about how we all attack his country, but its never the reverse, oh no… hes never derogatory about the country that provides him relative safety and a decent standard of living…
2 Dec 2009, 06:16 am
@David: Yeah sorry for my part in that, only usually come on here to read about rugby
2 Dec 2009, 06:18 am
@poppa69:
Yeah, yeah, yeah, just like Oz let you in and allowed you onto the dol until your cousin found you a cushy little security job. Get a life…..
2 Dec 2009, 06:21 am
@whatever: shame then they didnt actually pull the trigger mate, would have done us all a huge favour… as Ive told you countless times, I was head hunted to come to Aus, and I never bag it like you do NZ… it must be hard for you to fathom that some of us actually are good at our jobs, not lazy layabouts such as yourself…
Ive got a life, the fact your jealous of it says it all… lookout, hes got a cap gun, he may shoot you!!
2 Dec 2009, 06:23 am
@poppa69: What do you think of Pocock? Has he usurped George Smith for good? Is he potentially as good as Brussow?
2 Dec 2009, 06:24 am
ryan vrede & john cardinelli are undoubtedly the biggest tossers in south africa, our own Dumb & Dumber! How this guy won any journalism award just shows how low the standard of journalism is in our country!
Thank you to the IRB panel for not giving Fourie du Preez the award, saved us from another SARugby magazine cover with du preez’s receeding hairline & forlon mug.
2 Dec 2009, 06:25 am
@whatever: Do you support your local team in NZ? I mean club and provincial level rather than s14
2 Dec 2009, 06:27 am
@Waster: I think hes a decent player… not as good as Brussouw, who I genuinely think can surpass the feats of MCCaw, depending on the support he has around him… I think Pocock will be the preferred option, simply because he is willing to learn from the coach.. I think the senior aussie players have had too much sway in the past, and because of that are causing rifts in the Aussie camp… just my observations though.
2 Dec 2009, 06:27 am
@poppa69: hi pops, i see you’re still thundering on about things apartheid…
do you know what the outcome of steve hansen’s claim that “tony definitely got a facial” after the frnch game?
2 Dec 2009, 06:30 am
@poppa69: Yeah fair enough, I didn’t really rate him as high myself but I must keep a better look out,
2 Dec 2009, 06:32 am
@Transformation: hey Trans, nah mate… was just giving it to whatever, seems its the only type of discussion he enjoys… I dont know what is happening with that allegation, I didnt see it in the game or on any replays whatsoever.. but Ive never seen woodcock react that way before..
2 Dec 2009, 06:36 am
@Waster:
He is better than Brussow!
2 Dec 2009, 06:36 am
@Waster:
Looks like the Wobblies have decided that they need another African, like Gregan, to take them into the WC. Probably preparing for the influx of all the Saffas they’re trying to bring into the game in Australia.
2 Dec 2009, 06:38 am
@poppa69:
you say not as good as brussow but can surpass Macaw. maccaw is the best no doubt.
Brussow is okay but not excellent.
2 Dec 2009, 06:39 am
@David: thats the 22 year old lock isnt it ? even got a mention on the news here a few weeks back..
2 Dec 2009, 06:39 am
@David: Are you referring to Genia? Excellent player, even looks like Gregan which bloody reminds me every time of the “Four more years” incident.
2 Dec 2009, 06:40 am
@wallabie.: I meant Brussouw could surpass McCaw with the right people to complement his game… as with all flankers, if their supports arent up to it then they will always struggle in a game…
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