Although I would have thought that DuPreez would have won the award I think Richie was pretty good this year. Through the period he was injured the All Blacks struggled, losing 4 games (they only lost one while he was playing), and he came back and redirected the team and played some sensational rugby. He's clearly been the best player in all of the All Blacks games on their end of year tour. Although I must admit Conrad Smith has been outstanding also.

And I don't think you would say the All Blacks sneaked home against Wales and England. The Poms and the Welsh never looked like scoring the whole game, they never threatened. I actually thought France played the best against the All Blacks despite the scoreline because the type of rugby they played showed that they thought they could beat the All Blacks rather than the negative approach from the other teams who never really backed themselves and consequently never threatened at all.

I thought BOD was the clear favourite, captaining and being the key player for the only unbeaten side this year and also winning the Heinekin cup with Leinster. He had a perfect season and always works magic on the field. There are of course other deserving players like Du Preez and no one would have batted an eyelid with a few other deserving selections. It certainly should have gone to either the 6 nations or tri-nations champions. But this is exactly like the Nobel prize to Obama this year a totally undeserved prize for 2009 to an otherwise relatively good achiever. A real pity.

Best player this year was Bakkies Botha but just because he has a hardman reputation and plays on the border of the laws (without crossing them I might add) he does not get a look-in. I am disgusted. As Tana Urmaga once said, rugby is not a game for tiddly-winks but for real men like Bakkies.

... First and foremost, well done to Richie McCaw who is an outstanding rugby player who has given many a rugby suporter hours of entertainment. I agree with many that Fourie DuPreez was the outstanding rugby player of the year (in fact O'Driscoll isn't a bad nomination either). I certainly think that a poor decision has been made however it's certainly not the players fault. Well done to the SPRINGBOKS for winning team of the year and the Irish Coach for winning coach of the year ...

McCaw winning this year is a JOKE - should have been BOD 100%. End. Of. Story.

Mike, you do not know your rugby at all. Fourie should have won and he is the best scrumhalf in the world

Hi Paul,

22November 1997 SA 52- 10 France. Nice clean running game, last one to be played at their famous stadium. On the other hand France has managed to whip the abs on many a crucial game. And yes the abs are a great outfit who at times(many) loose to the frogs.
This season Brussou was miles better that "offside McCaw"

The BOD should also get a prize for playing the ball off his feet!

People do not have to develop any sense of animosity directed at the great player McCaw. However, there is much to be desired in these international panels, SA players need to demolish the rest of the world comprehensively just to be considered. Winning is nay impossible, particularly for the white Boks. It is a sad day for all rugby loving people around the world, including NZ. Intergrity is the cornerstone of gamesmanship and honour that keeps the ball rolling in all codes. Du Preez will probably never again produce this form, even if he does it's unlikely he will be this rewarded in trophies. He may never have another chance to be IRB player of the year. We should never forgive this kind of rigging in sport. Horrendous.

What an odd choice. O'Driscoll was reborn and Heinrich was immense, Richie is great but not this year, odd choice and the fans worldwide know it.