CitizenSmiff wrote: ↑Fri Nov 01, 2019 10:24 am
Lost interest when I saw the USA hooker on the list instead of any Japanese players, there's clearly a strong financial motivation in place.
The top test tryscoring frontrower of all time? Japan have been good, but have any of those players been outstanding across the board for the entire of 2019, unfortunately not.
Formerly of Burbaaage (not Inkleh), now up north at uni
Let's be honest, Taufete'e hasn't been one of the best 5 players in the world this year. Neither has Wyn Jones. Neither have any of the Japanese players for that matter.
And that's what it should be about, not a patronising pat on the back for someone who has won a lot of caps and is retiring, did quite well for a poor team, or played for a team that caused a couple of upsets but still performed well below the best in the world.
What's the point in a team of the year award when it's World Cup year and all the nominees are national sides?
Coach of the year would, for me, be a toss up between Erasmus and Joseph, both have improved their teams immeasurably.
Young player of the year... Ntamack has probably had the biggest impact at international level so he'd get the nod from me, out of those three anyway. What's the age limit?
Is there a criteria definition for these awards somewhere ? Without clear specification these titles are ridiculously subjective or at worst patronising ? 2019 is all about winning the RWC so ENG & RSA should be dominating the lists ? Japan could deserve some sort of award but an emerging / plucky / exciting theme is doesn't work any more as they are 8th in the world rankings above Scotland and Argentina ? Also how would the RWC winner not be the team of the year with the coach of the year ?