MARSEILLES — New Zealand captain Richie McCaw said he was honoured to pick up the International Rugby Board (IRB) Player of the Year award for a second time.
The race for the award had been the “most closely contested” since its inception in 2001, the IRB said on Saturday.
The nomination of McCaw had left many observers scratching their heads since the All Blacks skipper had missed large parts of the season and his side had been beaten to the Tri-Nations title by world champions SA.
He fought off stiff competition from the likes of Brian O’Driscoll, who led Ireland to a first Grand Slam in 51 years and won the European Cup with Leinster, and Fourie du Preez, the doughty South African scrumhalf who won the Super 14 with the Blue Bulls and was instrumental in the Springboks’ series defeat of the British and Irish Lions and Tri- Nations triumph.
Despite that, McCaw has rebounded from injury to cement his place as world rugby’s top openside flanker, a skil ful ball handler who is immensely physical and not afraid of pushing his own body, or the interpretation of the breakdown laws, to the limit.
“On behalf of the All Blacks players and management, we congratulate Richie on receiving this award,” All Blacks coach Graham Henry said. “He is the leader of our team, shows a huge amount of character and commitment both on and off the field, and is truly deserving of this honour.
“Richie was outstanding (against France) and to be named world player of the year is a special achievement.”
McCaw, who became the third- most capped All Black when he won his 80th cap leading his side to a 39-12 rout of France in Marseilles on Saturday, was awarded his first IRB accolade in 2006.
“It is a huge honour,” he said. “I am extremely proud. I am just happy to be part of a team doing well. I am happy to do my bit, but it is a great honour. I’ve said it before, you can’t do it without a bunch of mates. It has been a trying year at times, but it is great to be part of a winning team.”
IRB chairman Bernard Lapasset admitted it had not been easy to sort the nominees, who also included Ireland No8 Jamie Heaslip, Springbok Francois Steyn, England’s Tom Croft and Australia flyhalf Matt Giteau.
“There is no doubt that this was a particularly closely fought year with each of the short-listed players producing outstanding performances,” Lapasset said.
The IRB also named Tri- Nations champions SA as Team of the Year and Ireland’s Declan Kidney the IRB Coach of the Year .