Boks named IRB team of the year

28 November 2009 (18:29)

The Springboks have been named the International Rugby Board Team of the Year with Ireland's Declan Kidney named the IRB Coach of the Year.

Both awards were announced following the test between Six Nations champions Ireland and Tri-Nations champions South Africa at Croke Park, Dublin, on Saturday.

South Africa have enjoyed a silverware-laden 2009, emphatically claiming the Tri-Nations title for the first time in five years and winning a compelling British & Irish Lions series in the summer.

The world champions reclaim the IRB Team of the Year Award from New Zealand, having previously won the prestigious honour in 2004 and 2007, and for captain John Smit the Award is recognition of a fantastic team ethic.

"It's been a huge year for us and to top it off with a recognition like this, to secure the top prize is massive.

"It was a huge ambition of many of the guys to beat the British & Irish Lions, it was a goal to be victorious so that was a great highlight for us during the year," said Smit.

"I'm very proud to be associated with these guys, it has become a family of guys and hopefully we can keep it going for another two years."

Declan Kidney has enjoyed an exceptional first full year as head coach of Ireland, masterminding his side to a deserved Six Nations Grand Slam - the first by an Irish team in 61 years.

During an outstanding year, Ireland were also unbeaten in November, recording victories over South Africa and Fiji after drawing with Australia.

His record this year is played ten, won nine and drawn one and he is the first Irishman to win the coveted IRB Coach of the Year Award since the IRB Awards began in 2001.

"I don't know what to say really, the team have been superb over the last 12 months.

"I feel my role is overstated, I haven't made a tackle all year! But for my family putting up with me and the players putting up with me even more I'd like to accept it on their behalf," said Kidney.

IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset added: "It has been a compelling year of international Rugby. South Africa have demonstrated this year exactly why they are world champions, winning the Tri-Nations and a truly memorable Lions series, while Declan Kidney has taken Ireland to the Grand Slam, Six Nations and Triple Crown. Both are deserving recipients of the prestigious awards."

These two Awards mean eight of the 13 IRB Awards, including the IRB Hall of Fame, have now been presented, with the IRB Player of the Year 2009 to be announced shortly.

In May, England captain Ollie Phillips was named IRB Sevens Player of the Year, while Aaron Cruden was named IRB Junior Player of the Year in June after leading New Zealand under-20s to the IRB Junior World Championship title.

Australia's Debby Hodgkinson was named IRB Women's Personality of the Year in August, L'Aquila Rugby Club received the Spirit of Rugby Award in September and this month Francis Palmade received the IRB Referee Award for Distinguished Service.

Previous Winners of IRB Team of the Year
2001 - Australia
2002 - France
2003 - England
2004 - South Africa
2005 - New Zealand
2006 - New Zealand
2007 - South Africa
2008 - New Zealand

Previous Winners of IRB Coach of the Year

2001 - Rod Macqueen (Australia)
2002 - Bernard Laporte (France)
2003 - Clive Woodward (England)
2004 - Jake White (South Africa)
2005 - Graham Henry (New Zealand)
2006 - Graham Henry (New Zealand)
2007 - Jake White (South Africa)
2008 - Graham Henry (New Zealand)

Read more on the latest rugby news page.

Comments

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by Eugene ?? November 29, 2009 00:25 GMT

That record speaks volumes about the connection between coach and team, every year the team has won IRB team of the year the coach won coach of the year, except for this year. Besembek's gonna have something to say about that no doubt.

by Pdivvy November 29, 2009 12:21 GMT

McCaw , player of the Year ????????? Before Du Preez , Matfield , O'Driscoll and even Brussouw (who outshone McCaw) Give me a break. The IRB has about as much credibility as the Nobel peace prize going to Obama instead of Morgan Tsvangari De Villiers was not coach of the year coz he doesnt play nice with the IRB hierachy and media circus. Like he gives a f@ck what those idiots who are ruining the game think. Ireland (definitly the IRB cronies first choice)wouldve run a close second to Boks but the Lions series win wouldve made it outrageous and blatently obvious if Boks had not won it. Bottom line IRB have an axe to grind with "unruly" Springboks.

by Jason Fell November 29, 2009 12:46 GMT

No JaY.... it seems like YOU have an axe to grind based on your comments. Ireland won the 6N and then drew with Australia and beat the Boks. The Lions tour was a great success and put some mana back in the jersey and the tour concept. PvD doesn't have enough experience yet and SA of '09 was managed with a lot of player input this year by all acounts. Richie McCaw just hit 80 test matches, not quite as quick at the breakdown but still definitely having the workhorse of a demon. As a captain he inspires and leads with real skill. I watched all the S14 and the 3N, and I agree that the players you mentioned had a damn fine year - but Matfield is the only player who can match McCaw's consistency, No one, not even Smits or O'Driscoll, matches him as a captain. His record speaks for itself.

by Pdivvy November 29, 2009 14:42 GMT

And Declan Kidney has been coach Ireland coach for how long ??? McCaw ....Are we judging someone as player or captain of the year ??? O Driscoll and Du Preez had far superior years as players . Smit (considering the political landscape of SA) is a far better captain as he has a whole lot more on his plate than just leading the players onto the pitch for the weekend match. McCaw even admitted this after he roomed with Smit during Baabaas last year. So he is neither a better player than the above mentioned or a better captain than the above mentioned. A fine player but over the hill and will be exposed in 2011 by Brussouw and Pocock.

by Charles Smith November 30, 2009 22:29 GMT

As much as I hate to admit it. Richie is still the best. Pocock with edge him in a year or so. Brussouw is good but not as good as these two. He didnt nullify anyone of these blocks if you look at the work rate and turn over ratio Richie is king in that area per game. Brussouw is new and untested, next season will tell. Richie just doesnt steal balls he he everywhere like Pocock is doing. Comparing the three of these are not doing justice to either of them. Richie had the better year. lets see what the other two do in the S14 and tri nations. my bet is Brussouw wont even be in the mix.

by Addi December 1, 2009 06:22 GMT

Well, read Bob Dwyer's comments about Richie and you'll see that he operates more illegal than legal. He comes in from the side, slows the ball down from an off-side position etc. But then I think the IRB wanted to payback NZ and as such the only could be Richie. How the heck did NZ get the WC awarded to them?

by Selwyn Price December 1, 2009 17:02 GMT

Ah, Addi, if only you could see out of that other eye. Why wouldn't NZ get the WC, why would the IRB want to payback NZ (maybe for the John O'Neill-egotrip induced debacle in 2003?) and why would Bob Dwyer be objective when it came to Richie McCaw. Try to think for yourself, and the vision might become 20/20.

by Pdivvy December 1, 2009 17:49 GMT

Charles Smith.... I am happy to admit McCaw was phenomenal and is still awesome. Deserved the player of the year a few yrs back . But he has been injured , led his team to not much this year , and outplayed twice by Brussouw. Obviously I think Du Preez shouldve got it but if not O'Driscoll. McCaw did have enough game time , won nothing and had a good but not excellent year. The above two were robbed.

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