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Joe Giddens/EMPICS Sport
Awards Season

McCaw leads shortlist for IRB Player of the Year

Richie McCaw: good at rugby.

RICHIE MCCAW IS in line to be crowned IRB Player of the Year for a staggering fourth time.

McCaw is joined on the 2012 shortlist by a trio of fly-halves with All Blacks team-mate Dan Carter, England’s Owen Farrell and Frédéric Michalak of France all in the running.

But there is no place for ERC European Player of the Year Rob Kearney or any other Irish internationals.

Winner in 2006, 2008 and 2010, McCaw is the only player to receive the accolade more than once since its introduction, although Carter can join him in that elite group if he adds this year’s prize to his previous win in 2005.

McCaw, who is the most-capped All Black in history, became the first player to post 100 Test wins and the most wins as captain this season.

For a third straight year the shortlist features a nominee who burst on to the Test scene thanks to eye-catching performances at the IRB Junior World Championship, with England’s Farrell following in the footsteps of Australia trio David Pocock, Will Genia and Kurtley Beale.

The shortlist was drawn up by an independent panel of judges, chaired by Australia’s RWC 1999 winning captain John Eales and including Will Greenwood, Gavin Hastings, Raphaël Ibanez, Francois Pienaar, Agustín Pichot, Scott Quinnell, Tana Umaga and Paul Wallace.

The winner, along with the IRB Coach of the Year and IRB Team of the Year, will be announced at the draw for the 2015 Rugby World Cup in London on Monday.

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