Wednesday, January 09, 2008

All Blacks' poor year reflected in poll

http://www.stuff.co.nz/4345558a10295.html

RugbyHeaven.co.nz
Saturday, 05 January 2008

A disappointing 2007 for the All Blacks has been reflected in a poll of journalists to find the world’s best player. South African lock Victor Matfield has pipped Argentinean Juan Martín Hernández and 2007 IRB Player of the Year Bryan Habana in a poll run by influential French sporting paper Midi Olympique.
The paper polled 111 journalists, of whom 56 were French, with the remaining 55 from other countries. New Zealand players have regularly featured at the top of the yearly poll with Dan Carter rated the best in 2006 and flanker Richie McCaw winning in 2005.
This time around the best finish for a Kiwi went to prop Carl Hayman who came in at fifth, while McCaw dropped to seventh and Carter disappeared out of the top 10 all together.
Unsurprisingly the top 10 featured five members of the 2007 World Cup winning South African team.

Midi Olympique's Top 10 rugby players for 2007 are:

1. Victor Matfield (South Africa)
2. Juan Martin Hernández (Argentina)
3. Bryan Habana (South Africa)
4. Fourie du Preez (South Africa)
5. Carl Hayman (New Zealand)
6. Agustín Pichot (Argentina)
7. Richie McCaw (New Zealand)
8. François Steyn (South Africa)
9. Juan Smith (South Africa)
10. Andrew Sheridan (England)

Pic : Merci Caro!!!

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Hmm so Victor is first? i guess lineouts are NB - but look who is second;) Go Juani!