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'Feels really rough': The All Black 'robbed' of world's best nomination

(Photo by Joe Giddens/PA Images via Getty Images)

World Rugby have announced the four nominees for Mens 15s Player of the Year, but the glaring omission of an All Blacks star has stumped fans on Twitter.

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French captain Antoine Dupont could potentially become just the third player to win the award in back-to-back years – and the first player to do so who isn’t an All Black.

The other three nominees are South Africa’s Lukhanyo Am, and Ireland duo Johnny Sexton and Josh van der Flier.

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Sexton became the first Irishman to win the award since Keith Wood in 2001 when he was crowned the world’s best in 2018.

But rugby fans around the world have simply been left in shock after finding out All Blacks backrower Ardie Savea missed out on a nomination the award, with some calling him the world’s best forward.

While the All Blacks have had an up and down Test season, which has included historic losses at home to both Ireland and Argentina, Savea has consistently stood out for the men in black.

As reported last week, six-time Super Rugby champion Bryn Hall believed the All Black had to be “in the conversation” for the award – with former Blues captain James Parsons agreeing that it was “a no brainer.”

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Many rugby fans on social media have echoed those comments, as they shared their own thoughts about why Savea “should be Player of the Year.”

https://twitter.com/euandavies1995/status/1592280093539586049

https://twitter.com/RohdeMartin474/status/1592263258576424962

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https://twitter.com/bheringz18_b/status/1592255629141606401

While the All Blacks began their international season with a historic series loss in New Zealand against Ireland, the men in black are now on a six-Test unbeaten streak.

After beating Wales by an emphatic score in Cardiff over a week ago, the All Blacks came from behind to earn a hard-fought 31-23 win over Scotland just over a day ago.

The All Blacks have one more Test match to play this year, and it’s a blockbuster against England at Twickenham.

https://twitter.com/AnandSReddy/status/1592080574734536704

The World Rugby Awards is set to return to a physical format for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic, and will be held in Monaco this weekend.

Rugby fans are encouraged to cast their votes on social media and select who they believed scored the International Rugby Players Men’s and Women’s tries of the year until Thursday, 17 November at 23:59 GMT.

World Rugby Chairman Sir Bill Beaumont has congratulated everyone who has been nominated for an award, as he looks ahead to hosting “the global rugby family.”

“The World Rugby Awards are the ultimate accolades for rugby, and we are delighted to honour the outstanding players and individuals who have made an impact on our game on and off the field in 2022,” Beaumont said.

“On behalf of World Rugby, I would like to congratulate all nominees of the 22nd edition for their incredible achievements over the past calendar year. Not only have they showcased tremendous rugby skills, but they have also inspired millions of fans around the world helping spread the values of our sport.

“I am looking forward to host the global rugby family next Sunday under the high patronage of HSH Princess Charlene of Monaco and the Principality for a night of celebration in Monte-Carlo.”

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7 Comments
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Derek 719 days ago

Some brash and verbose AB supporter had a full go at me for supporting the Boks and Rassie. It is a pity that I deleted his post at me because he changed the topic 180 degrees and brashly threw Savea in my face saying that he will be ERP of the year. I have no idea why he changed the subject so radically. Maybe he can let me know.
Please let him know that I really feel so sorry for him that his idol has not featured at all.
However I did notice a Bock player called Am as one of the 4 and I hope that he will congratulate Am in his reply to me.
I really am so sorry.😢😢😢

D
Devon 719 days ago

For 2 seasons Ardie Savea carried the all blacks and is the best loose forward in the world. How does he not get selected? World rugby can you give your reason please!!!!!

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Haunui 719 days ago

Couldn't agree more . Savea has been simply astounding with his remarkably consistent MOTM performances. Usually it's a compliment to say that you can't remember a poor performance. I can't remember an average one. It's interesting to see that fans from all over the globe agree. That's also because he is hugely admired and loved by fans. It makes you hope for a Blacklash this weekend and Savea makes everyone acknowledge his glaring omission from the the top table.

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ColinK 720 days ago

Ardie go show them this weekend! :-} As regards position I am converted now. Ardie is a new kind of 8, and a brilliant one at that.

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Andrew 721 days ago

Could it be because the committee dont think hes the best no 8. Daft I know but if hed been playing 7?

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Wayne 721 days ago

I know it's hard for a nominating panel to compare players, but Ardie Savea was surely a no-brainer for at least a nomination. Go figure?

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Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
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