Michael Hooper has been outstanding this year. Massive work rate, great defence, physical, excellent ball carrying. Pocock wont be getting his number 7 spot back in a hurry. Sam Warburton was also Outstanding. really showed his class last week. how is it that McCaw (who didn't even play any super rugby matches this year) is ONCE AGAIN the number 1 open side flanker in the world? In my opinion he's been good....but Hooper has quite just simply been on a higher level. Is it just the popularity thing? the whole ''cant be criticised if I pick McCaw'' mentality? http://www.smh.com.au/photogallery/rugby-union/union-news/rugbyheaven-team-of-the-year-2013-20131201-2yjga.htmlMichael Hooper has been outstanding this year. Massive work rate, great defence, physical, excellent ball carrying. Pocock wont be getting his number 7 spot back in a hurry. Sam Warburton was also Outstanding. really showed his class last week. how is it that McCaw (who didn't even play any super rugby matches this year) is ONCE AGAIN the number 1 open side flanker in the world? In my opinion he's been good....but Hooper has quite just simply been on a higher level. Is it just the popularity thing? the whole ''cant be criticised if I pick McCaw'' mentality?

I think you're right, he is the best but at least 4 opensides have been better this year. It's a bit of favouritism along with fear of backlash.

Backlash, and media.

although he didn't play for most of the year he did do great job in Autumn internationals along side the Rugby championship most of the ratings are based on international encounters, that's just the way rugby is for now at least

Because he is Ritchie McCaw. There were better open siders this year, McCaw was playing at 8 at one time.

Because he's the best