In Paris, Argentina take a step ahead in the first World Cup final when another surprise awaited the. Argentina’s duo Juan Martin Hernandez and Felipe Contepomi were chosen among the five candidates for the International Rugby Board’s (IRB) Player of the Year award. Fly-half player Hernandez and center position Contepomi have played major roles in bringing Argentina within the top four world rankings in the IRB. They have a major factor in defeating Scotland to 19-13 to book their place in top four of the World Cup.
The other IRB shortlisted nominees of the IRB player of the year award are: Felipe Contepomi (ARG), Richie McCaw (NZL), Bryan Habana (RSA), Yannick Jauzion (FRA), Juan Martin Hernandez (ARG). Here, the New Zealand captain Richie McCaw was the last year’s finalist who is the only one who was forward this year also to run for the award. The jury panel involves the dandy Michael Jones, a World Cup winner in the year 1987, Will Greenwood, the ex- England player playing at the center position and also starred in the country squad for the World Cup triumph four years ago, Francois Pienaar, captain of South Africa winner of the World Cup in the year 1995, and John Eales, captained the Australia’s team to become champions in the year 1999.
The winner will be announced on 21st October, a day after the World Cup final will take place at a ceremony held on Paris only. According to the chairman of the IRB that receiving this Player of the Year award is the most fete thing one player can achieve in his entire lifetime.
Source: BBC
