Kieran Reid | Ben Smith | Jean De Villiers | Leigh Halfpenny Those are my picks.
I think there are three front runners. Kieran Read - Been a massive player for the ABs this year. Lead them well and scored important tries. Ben Smith - Try scoring machine. Can't do anything wrong. Leigh Halfpenny - Best goal kicker in the world and was player of the series in the B&I Lions vs Aus
1. Kieran Read. Most important player on the best team in the world. McCaw and Carter have not played sufficiently for consideration. Much more consistent than Liam Messam (whom I rate highly). 2. POC. Captain of the B&I Lions, and long-time servant of the game. The epitome of the Engine Room. 3. Bismark du Plessis. A bit unhinged at times, but the most influential front-row forward in the game in 2013. 4. Thierry Dusautoir. Best captain in the world actively playing, and another force in the pack. I assume that IRB will select someone with a distinguished year in Test rugby. I actually do believe that forwards control the modern game, besides being a forward (when I played).
These are only from the Southern Hemisphere :Liam Messam: won Super Rugby and was key in NZ winning Rugby Championship Jean de Villiers: Probably the best inside centre in the world right now, Captained South Africa to some good victories Aaron Cruden : He was the best flyhalf in Super Rugby and his performances went down well with the Chiefs Cristian Leali'ifano: I think he is kicking at 87% in Test Rugby and he took the brumbies to yet another final.
well Richie Mccaw and Theirry Dusatour are usually the IRB player of the years but this year could go to Aaron Cruden in my opinion
