Du Preez or O'Driscoll for top award?

So the list of nominations for the IRB Player of the year was announced yesterday and although some names were expected, a few came as surprise. Firstly Fourie Du Preez, Richie McCaw, Matt Giteau and Brian O'Driscoll are all well deserved nominations and its expected that the award would go to one of those players. All of them have been named their respective country's player of the year already and few can doubt their quality. The surprise nominations however were Jamie Heaslip, Francois Steyn and Tom Croft. Heaslip played an intrsumental role in helping Ireland win the Six Nations but for me he didn't set the world alight when touring South Africa with the British & Irish Lions. Francois Steyn, although predigiously talented for still lacked the consistency to be nominated this year, although I do feel he has the potential to win this award in years to come. That leaves Tom Croft, the flanker who was overlooked by the Lions selctors iniatially, but ultimately ended palying in all three tests and went back with his reputation enhanced. Although Croft's name was a surrise in sum respects, it is the names that were not there that perhaps makes his nomination a talking point. Heinrich Brussouw had an amazing year, and helped South Africa dominate the Lions and the Tri Nations, while Morne Steyn, Rob Kearney, Berrick Barnes and Lee Byrne can all count themselves unlucky in their own way for not making the list.

From the list though Fourie Du Preez to me stands out as the most deserved winner while few would argue if the ever popular Brian O'Driscoll was to win the award. The awards are to be announced the final weekend of November...