The official World Rugby Player of the Year for 2016 has been revealed, and here is your chance to vote.
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Poll: Vote for your World Rugby Player of the Year
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Itoje all the way!!!!
No bias there at all Dazza! However I have also voted for him as I am looking at the supporting cast and what a difference he has made to the teams, both at club and international level. Barrett has also punched above his weight, but I prefer Itoje for this one.
(As an aside, I’m glad I checked my auto correct this time as Itoje really didn’t come out well!)
Obviously not biased at all!!! Just really happy that three of my teams players are on the list!!!!!!! :-)
If I was biased I probably would have voted for Billy as I had the chance to meet him away from rugby lately and he is a greta guy (but with incredibly large hands), but Maro gets my vote for being so consistent since breaking through last season and because he has improved with every game.
I must admit I don’t know what Heaslip has done to get on the list, but after the weekend one of the team should be there.
Agree Dazza. How the hell is Heaslip on that list though?
Personally went for Barrett as much as I’d love to see an English player win. He’s been playing a different level of rugby to most people on the planet this year, both at international and club level.
Out of the English three, I’d go with Vunipola. I thought he’d been phenomenal this year. Taking into account he was behind Morgan in the pecking order under SL a year ago, his rise has been incredible.
Really not sure how Heaslip is here? Would have been Henshaw for me out of the Irish. I was think recently that Heaslip is possibly close to being dropped with Standers form outshining his and O’Mahoney getting back to some form – sure they’d want a 7 with those two with Heaslip out the team?
Agreed, in order
Barrett
Itoje
Coles
Farrell
Vunipola
Heaslip
Also I think there are others who are more deserving of being on the list than the last two but i’ll let that one go
Heaslip is playing his best rugby since his debut for Ireland. Stander being there brings the best out of him as he know’s his place is under threat. Like you I expect Barrett to win it.
I think the way to judge it is to imagine how the player would do in a team not playing well. Whilst Barrett has been electric, his kicking percentages are not high enough, one of the core skills required of him, and this would not help a side on the back foot (compared to say Farrell or Sexton).
For me it’s a shoot out between Coles and Itoje, both are pretty faultless in the core skills vital for their respective position, and then bring additional value of handling and playing as an extra back (Coles) to playing as an additional backrow forward and leadership from Itoje. (plus a near inability for either to lose!)
Ah yes I had conveniently forgotten about Barrett’s kicking game due to the fact that it never seems to be an issues for the teams he plays for.
A lot of critics are quickly calling for Coles to get the award and for Itoje to get the breakthrough player award instead but I see no reason why a player should only be able to win one award.
Thought Coles was shown up a bit by Ireland as a bit of a show pony.
Sure he is superb once play gets a bit open and some of his off-loads are just incredible but the Irish pack showed him as being somewhat under-powered in the tight and his line out went to pieces in the absence of Retallick and Whitelock.
As a hooker, he strikes me as the type of luxury a team like the All Blacks can afford when the entire first choice pack are fit, firing and dominating the opposition, but when they’re not and the oppostion pack is on top, he isn’t the type of player who will drag the team through.
Unless you can guarantee your pack will be dominant, I want a hooker who excels at the set piece and in the tight. If he can also play like a centre then great. I don’t think Coles can do both and there aren’t many who can (i think Jamie George has the potential to be one)
I would have to agree with you there. Under pressure Coles didn’t look so hot on Saturday.
I think another way to look at it is which of these players has made a difference to the respective teams? The fact that Itoje only got in the England team this year under Jones and we haven’t lost a game since is just coincidence right? The point is the England team is better with him in it. I guess we will see how England play without Itoje this weekend. We will see Lawes winning opposition ball at lineout time and sticking his large boot into opposition rucks (legally), and generally causing havoc?
Are NZ that much better with Coles or Barrett in the team?
Barrett for me, i would love it if any of the English players won but i just think he has improved the ability and prowess of the All Blacks after Carter and that is no mean feat.
I think Itoje has definitely improved Saracens and England but to be crucial in improving a World Cup winning side edges it.
I’d choose Itoje and Bauden Barret joint equal at number one spot!
No bias just motivated by straight fair-minded best of British values like fairplay!
Have to watch my words here as angry ex-pats are prowling in the background and listening to everything i say and write.
Pre-Brexit we were a nation that feared offending and over the last 24hrs i’ve had a bit of a regression! I’m hankering for the touchy feely days again despite the misguided direction of my vote.
Seriously though, itoje for his consistency, skill and leadership at the pit face of international rugby whilst still in the flush of youth.
Barrett for the flashy back with consumate skills and his explosion into the international stage (elbowing Cruden aside with ease) and scoring tries with aplomb!
Can’t be fairer than that now can i? Who said i was simplistic and jingoistic?