Independent Media rugby writer Wynona Louw has handed out 10 awards to the most deserving teams, players, coaches and referees of the 2016 rugby season.
1. The “most impressive turnaround” award goes to England
This one has to go to Eddie Jones’ England team. No doubt. The former Wallaby boss took a demoralised England outfit after becoming the first host nation to get knocked out in the pool stages of a World Cup and he, well, turned them around. In one season under Mr Jones, the Red Rose went from a shocker on the biggest rugby stage to winning their first Six Nations grand slam since 2003, securing a series-whitewash over Australia in June and ending their 2016 season unbeaten. Now that right there really takes some doing.
2. The “biggest upset” award goes to Italy (or South Africa who should get this one?)
This is a tough one because, as we all know, there are quite a few to choose from. In 2016, the Springboks really left me spoilt for choice when it came to this award. They suffered defeats to Ireland at Newlands during the three-Test series, Argentina in Salta, Wales during the end-of-year tour and there was also that record whipping to the All Blacks in the Rugby Championship. But that loss against Italy in Florence that one was the lowest point this year.
3. The “most shocking refereeing decision” award goes to Lloyd Linton
We’re used to seeing the occasional dubious call by referees, but this one by Scottish ref Lloyd Linton was just plain bad. The young Scot made more than just a bit of a howler during a PRO12 match when the Cardiff Blues faced Scarlets. The derby featured two brothers, Aaron and Steven Shingler, playing for opposing teams. The victim? Aaron. With 10 minutes left in the match, a kick through was blocked and effectively kicked ahead by flank Aaron, and both brothers chased back but as Aaron had the lead, younger brother Steven tackled him without the ball. Aaron was yellow carded for his brother’s error, and despite wearing very different jerseys that had different numbers, the wrong brother was shown yellow. Linton could be grateful that the call didn’t really affect the outcome of the match, as Scarlets won 26-15. At least Steve Walsh mostly kept his mistakes down to missed forward passes or calling ones forward that weren’t.
4. The “failure to do out with the old and in with the new” award goes to Allister Coetzee
I’ve written about this topic to death this year, which is why it makes even more sense to bestow this award upon Coetzee. What do I mean by “out with the old and in with the new?” Exactly that, which is something that Coetzee has failed with miserably this year. Just think of his call-ups to Morne Steyn, Willem Alberts and JP Petersen. Players who are not only way past their prime, but who have contributed absolutely nothing to an already-dire situation this year (Steyn won the Boks a game with his boot, how surprising. But other than that he didn’t do more than the other two). And what about all those other guys who have performed consistently at Super Rugby level with no reward (or no reward until very late in the season)?
5. The “most colourful coach” award goes to ... Eddie Jones
For most Bok supporters there weren’t a lot of entertaining moments on the field, so it was actually a good thing that the master of mind games provided some entertainment of his own. This season, Jones has given fans a reason to eagerly page through the newspaper or click on that online post. But his jabs haven’t always been welcome, just ask Johnny Sexton (Jones’ target after sustaining a number of head injuries) or his old buddy Michael Cheika. They were, nonetheless, entertaining.
6. The “most deurmekaar domestic competition” award goes to the one and only Currie Cup
Now that was bad. The Currie Cup this year just didn’t work. Firstly, the competition was shortened, meaning that teams only played each other once instead of once at home and once away. But it wasn’t only the shortened format that was a problem; the playoff games were also moved due to the Rugby Championship (like they couldn’t have planned for that in advance). One thing is for sure – if Saru want the Currie Cup to return to the sporting spectacle it was before, there can be no room for all these little logistical issues next year.
Speaking of which, are next season’s fixtures out yet?
7. The “most improved team” award goes to the whole northern hemisphere
The rise of the northern hemisphere teams has been immense, especially Ireland and Wales. This year we saw the Wales give New Zealand a good go during the Test series in June, while an injury-hit Ireland side were unlucky not to bag a series win over the Springboks. Oh, and they also beat New Zealand a few weeks ago. And then there were also England’s superb productions. Looking at these teams’ performances, it’s safe to say that the gap between northern and southern hemisphere rugby is closing. Rapidly.
8. The “most consistent South African player” award goes to Pieter-Steph du Toit
There weren’t many to choose from and he by no means had a perfect season, but Pieter-Steph du Toit certainly had more ups than downs (and definitely more so than his Springbok teammates). He was awarded for his fine form with the Stormers and with the Boks he was always one of the more reliable men. Yes, he had one or two poor outings, especially on defence, but there were more good ones than bad, even though he wasn’t at his best. After all, it’s not like anyone else was.
9. The “most impressive newbie” award goes to Uzair Cassiem
The Cheetahs loose forward was on fire. He was one of the most deserving guys to crack a Bok spot, and when he did, he did not disappoint. He was the light in an otherwise dark tunnel on a number of occasions, and his massive work rate never subsided, no matter how tough it was to keep going.
10. The “best team” award goes to the All Blacks
Here I’m not just referring to results, but also standout players. Hooker Dane Coles was a deserving nominee for the World Rugby Player of the Year award with those firing, I-can-run-down-touch-like-a-wing performances, while guys like Ardie Savea and TJ Perenara also had us on the edge of our seats. Let’s not forget about Beauden Barrett, the flyhalf who makes up for his unstable boot with playmaking abilities that can be rivalled by no other.