And our real winners are...
So, it’s almost the end of 2010, which means the end of yet another exciting rugby year. There have been highs – not to mention the regular lows – and plenty more to look back at. Ladies and gentlemen, we bring you the real winners of 2010 with rugby365.com’s Annual Awards.
Who was the best player in 2010?
Which teams impressed us most?
Who said some crazy things and who made us laugh the most?
All will be revealed below, in rugby365.com‘s Annual Awards:
Player of the Year: Richie McCaw (New Zealand)
For once, we agree with the International Rugby Board. Richie McCaw was quite literally head and shoulders above every other rugby player this past season. He leads from the front, knows every shortcut on the field and, well, his rapport with referees is quite obviously reaching legendary status. Along with Carter, he is absolutely crucial to New Zealand’s 2011 hopes. Other worthy mentions for strong showings in 2011: Mils Muliaina, Tommy Bowe, David Pocock, Thierry Dusautoir and Martin Castrogiovanni.
Team of the Year: The All Blacks
Just one defeat in 14 matches (and that by two points) says it all; not to mention their record of 495 points for and just 246 against. The Men in Black once again raised the bar with their continued brilliance and they are undoubtedly the favourites for next year’s Rugby World Cup.
Match of the Year:
Two matches stand out – both for historical reasons, but also for the excellence of two teams:
(1) The 2010 Super 14 Final – Bulls v Stormers: The Bulls, in their wisdom (and because of the small matter of the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup), played their semifinal and final matches in this year’s Super 14 at Soweto’s Orlando Stadium. Both were ground-breaking experiences, given the history of South Africa, and both were outstanding matches won by the best provincial team in the world, the Bulls who won a third Super Rugby title in four years.
(2) Following the success of the Super 14 Final – not to mention the lasting euphoria of the Soccer World Cup – SARU took a leaf out of the Bulls’ book and moved the SA-NZ Tri-Nations match (in August) to the FNB Stadium in Soweto. It was also a resounding success, in what was John Smit’s 100th Test, with the Boks seemingly on their way to bouncing back with a win after a disastrous Tri-Nations away leg. Sadly, the Kiwis – or rather Ma’a Nonu – tore up the script as the powerhouse Kiwi No.12 broke a John Smit tackle to put replacement Israel Dagg over for the match-winning (and, ultimately, Tri-Nations-clinching) score.
Coach of the Year: Andy Robinson (Scotland)
We like to be a bit different, here at rugby365. Look, we’re not stupid (ok, we’re not that stupid); we obviously considered Graham Henry and it was a close call. In the end, however, we went for Andy Robinson who achieved so much with Scotland – despite his limited resources (limited certainly when compared to what talent Henry has at his disposal!). After early-year losses to France, Wales and Italy, Scotland lost just once more in their remaining seven Tests – when they ran into a rampant Kiwi side in Edinburgh. Notable scalps included victory in Dublin and a rare win over the Springboks and also a home draw with England. They are a team on the rise, with a coach that deserves praise.
Newcomer of the Year: Ben Youngs (England)
It is no surprise that England’s recent hint at a revival (hint of a revival – not an actual revival!) has coincided with Youngs’s promotion to the Red Rose starting XV. Fearless, speedy and with an eye for the gap, this man could take English rugby forward – if he is allowed to. Youngs just beat off the challenges of Pat Lambie, Israel Dagg and Chris Ashton to this gong.
Most Valuable Players – judged by their absence this year: Heinrich Brüssow and Fourie du Preez (both South Africa)
Neither Brüssow nor Du Preez played a Test this year due to serious knee and shoulder injuries, respectively. South Africa, it seems, never recovered from not having them available as they managed just one win in the Tri-Nations – including two losses at home. Their form and fitness will be a huge boon for the current William Webb Ellis holders.
Try of the Year:
Two tries stand out this year – Jaque Fourie’s very, very special individual effort for the Stormers against the Crusaders and Bryan Habana’s simple walkover score against the Chiefs after virtually every single Stormers player handled the ball en route to the tryline. They’re our Individual (Fourie) and Team (Habana) Tries of the Year. (See the clips below.) Other tries worth mentioning: Jaque Fourie v Australia (September 4) and Chris Ashton v Australia (November 13).
Kick of the Year: James O’Connor (Australia)
Not only did young James O’Connor score the winning try himself, but he also dusted himself off and coolly slotted the tricky match-winning conversion. Of course, we’re talking about O’Connor’s Hong Kong effort which helped the Wallabies to a 26-24 Bledisloe Cup win – Australia’s first in ten matches over the Kiwis and also ending the Men in Blacks’ unbeaten record against all-comers, dating back to last year. Afterwards, O’Connor nonchalantly said of his kick: “It was just like every other kick.” Special mention, too, must be made of Kurtley Beale’s long-range penalty which gave his team a win over the Boks in Bloemfontein in September.
Best foreign buy: Carlos Spencer (Lions – coach)
With plenty of praise being heaped on New Zealand coach John Mitchell for his magic wand-like influence on the formerly hapless Lions, former All Blacks maestro Carlos Spencer also had a huge impact in Johannesburg this year. His biggest impact, of course, was on Elton Jantjies – the brave little SA Under-20 playmaker who went on to become a Springbok later in the year.
Worst foreign buy: Carlos Spencer (Lions – player)
Without trying to contradict ourselves, Spencer was a failure as a player at the Lions; his best playing days clearly behind him during yet another miserable Super Rugby campaign for the Lions. Don’t forget, he joined the Lions as a player-coach – but, it seems, even he lost patience with himself.
‘Special’ Awards:
(Complete with their very own related articles!)
The George W. Bush Foot-in-Mouth Award: It went to Peter de Villiers last year and he is the obvious winner again this year. There were many, many quotes – but perhaps the most damaging was his infamous ‘We support Bees Roux’ comments after not even being asked about the Bees Roux murder case at a press conference. That outburst from De Villiers even prompted Sports Minister Makhenkesi Stofile to say: “Even I don’t always understand what he says.”
Bok coach hauled in for Bees comment
The Shoe on the Other Foot Award: Last year the Golden Lions were fighting a losing battle trying to retain the services of Willem Alberts, Jaque Fourie and Louis Ludik. Now, they are the ones doing the shopping, having nicked Lionel Mapoe from under the noses of the Sharks and signing a raft of other very useful players. The big drama, however, is not over, with the Johannesburg team firmly fixed on luring Beast Mtawarira from Durban.
Lions and Sharks in Beast tug-of-war
The Biggest Chequebook Award: Who else but the selfsame Lions… ?
Lions’ revival ‘motivated’ Kockott
The Joost van der Westhuizen Scandal Award: Last year we awarded this dubious honour to Mr Tiger Woods – this year, we have found another rugby player. In fact, he also happens to be the tallest and most recognisable players in South Africa; Andries Bekker.
Bekker scandal: The sordid details…
The Baby-faced Assassin Award: There is a baby face and then there’s Pat Lambie’s face. (There are also nerves of steel and then there’s Pat Lambie!) At just 20 years of age, little Lambie captured the heart of the SA rugby public… most of whom simply wanted to hug him and give him a teddy bear after his on-field heroics.
Lambie nearly lost to Scotland
The Courteney Cox Cougar Town Award: Ladies and gentlemen, we present to you, Deon Helberg. Other potential awards here for Helberg – the Jerry Springer Award for keeping it in the family and the CSI Award for faking one’s own death.
Bok fakes his own death
The Headline of the Year Award: Seen on the official SA Rugby website, ‘Springboks take positives from tour’… Well, yes, we know about Chiliboy and Bjorn – who else tested positive?
Springboks take positives from tour
The early Father’s Day present Award: For Cheeky Watson – with the news earlier this month that his son Luke would be returning to South Africa to join the EP Kings in 2011.
Watson to join the Kings
The Try-scoring Strike-rate Award: Sharks forward Willem Alberts has played three Tests for the Springboks – all off the bench – and scored a try within minutes of taking the field. Who else in world rugby boasts a stat like that?
The Embarrassment of Riches Award: The Boks ended their Test season against England with a starting loose trio of Deon Stegmann, Juan Smith and Pierre Spies, with Alberts on the bench. Cooling their heels in the stands were Sharks chums Ryan Kankowski and Keegan Daniel, with Schalk Burger and Heinrich Brüssow both injured and sitting at home in South Africa. Unwanted by the selectors were the likes of Francois Louw, Dewald Potgieter and Joe van Niekerk (the first Bok loose trio of the year – v Wales in Cardiff), whilst Danie Rossouw (although more of a lock these days) was ‘rested’ from the tour. Other names to throw in the hat include the likes of Duane Vermeulen, Jacques Botes, Ashley Johnson, Derick Minnie, Warren Whiteley, Wikus van Heerden and Nick Köster – none of whom featured in any Springbok selection in 2010 and would easily walk into any other international team at present.
* Did we, for once, miss anything? Add your own awards in below!
By rugby365
