Kiwis dominate junior awards

Two members of the all-conquering New Zealand team feature in the nominees for the IRB Junior Player of the Year Award.

The nominees were selected following the recent record-breaking IRB Junior World Championship held in Italy, the most competitive edition of the Under-20 tournament to date.

Winners New Zealand have Sam Cane and Luke Whitelock in the shortlist, while runners-up England, who pushed the champions all the way in a scintillating final in Padova, are represented by flyhalf George Ford.

The shortlist represents the voting of team head coaches and match officials, as well as international and local media at the tournament.

IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset said: “These three players excelled in Italy and they reflect the exciting talent that was on show in a tournament which continues to go from strength to strength.

“The quality of rugby played in Italy shows the important role this tournament plays in developing the future stars of the world game.”

The winner will be announced at the IRB Awards in Auckland on 24 October 2011.

Sam Cane (New Zealand):
A member of New Zealand’s impressive and hard-working loose forward trio in Italy, Sam Cane was the first player to score a hat-trick at the 2011 Junior World Championships with his efforts in the Baby Blacks’ 92-0 rout of Wales in round two. One of a handful of players in the New Zealand Under-20 squad with any Super Rugby experience, the Waikato Chiefs flanker’s potential was recognised early and saw him become the first schoolboy to be nominated for the national age grade player of the year accolade back in 2009.

George Ford (England):
The youngest player in the tournament, George Ford’s skills and vision belie his tender age of 18 years and three months. Described as a “very mature player” and someone who “sets the tone in the squad” by England Under-20 coach Rob Hunter, Ford always seems to have options and more often than not takes the right one. The youngest player ever to play a professional match in England, the Leicester Tigers teenager played a key role in England’s run to the final and scored 51 points in the tournament.

Luke Whitelock (New Zealand):
A true leader on and off the pitch and always ready to put his body on the line for the team, Luke Whitelock lifted the distinctive trophy in Padova after guiding New Zealand to a fourth successive title. One of a very select few to have two winners’ medals to his name, Whitelock is a danger at both flanker and number 8 with his work rate and game sense. The youngest of four rugby-playing brothers, two of whom are already All Blacks, Luke has the potential to be the best of the lot.

Previous Player of the Year winners:
2010 – IRB Junior Player of the Year: Julian Savea (New Zealand)
2009 – IRB Junior Player of the Year: Aaron Cruden (New Zealand)
2008 – IRB Junior Player of the Year: Luke Braid (New Zealand)
2007 – IRB International Under-19 Player of the Year: Robert Fruean (New Zealand)
2006 – IRB International Under-19 Player of the Year: Josh Holmes (Australia)
2006 – IRB International Under-21 Player of the Year: Lionel Beauxis (France)
2005 – IRB International Under-19 Player of the Year: Isaia Toeava (New Zealand)
2005 – IRB International Under-21 Player of the Year: Tatafu Polota-Nau (Australia)
2004 – IRB International Under-19 Player of the Year: Jeremy Thrush (New Zealand)
2004 – IRB International Under-21 Player of the Year in association with Waterford Crystal: Jerome Kaino (New Zealand)
2003 – IRB Under-19 Player of the Year: Jean Baptiste Payras (France)
2003 – IRB Under-21 Player of the Year: Ben Atiga (New Zealand)
2002 – IRB Under-19 Player of the Year: Luke McAlister (New Zealand)
2002 – IRB Under-21 Player of the Year: Pat Barnard (South Africa)
2001 – IRB Young Player of the Year: Gavin Henson (Wales)