Once more we have come to World Rugby’s Nominations Day.
It makes you wonder how many sportspeople have sat waiting for the boss to read out next weekend’s team. Am I in or out this time?
But this is much more serious stuff. World Rugby appoints starry panels to decide a range of nominations. The sheer number of awards, eight, plus six other categories, shows that WR has thrown its lot in firmly with the idea of prize-giving. How often do we see the word “award-winning” attached to a performer, without knowing what the award was – or were there several? Generous sponsors offer them up in ever greater numbers. At least we know that here, in Monaco, the competition will be severe and the winner most deserving.
Criteria
Of the eight awards listed, not all are immediately clear to the outsider. For example, the ‘Breakthrough Player of the Year’? Breaking through what and how? No age-range is indicated.
We can be sure the panels receive a set of guide-lines to help distinguish one deserving candidate from another. These days a presence off the field may be added to obvious onfield credentials. Women’s rugby in particular is intent on bringing audiences young and old closer to the players. With social media platforms in full swing, one name will become more widely known than another.
And not forgetting
There are still six more categories to cover. The most touching of all is likely to be the International Rugby Players Special Merit Award. There have been eminently deserving recipients in the past.
Others can cause more debate than the rest. How do you decide the ‘Coach of the Year’? – the person whose team won the most matches, or the World Cup; or a rival who rebuilt a side that had been falling apart, and re-established its confidence?
We are offered no fewer than four “dream teams”, two each for 7s and 15s. These are likely to cause more controversy than all the others put together. “What, no mention of X? – the best player I’ve seen since I started watching 90 years ago!” Or “why are four of this XV asked to play out of position?” So the arguments go on.
At least in the Sevens categories the choices are more predictable; stars from a handful of nations shine consistently brighter.
More points for discussion
Is it best to allow an individual a trophy once only?
My view is, most certainly yes. But Pieter-Steph du Toit’s name comes up again. He won in 2019. He may well be the outstanding individual on display this time too, but fair shares for all?
Then an even trickier issue: should the same apply to nominations? By my reckoning this is the third time Pauline Bourdon Sansus’ name has appeared among Women’s 15s Player of the Year nominees. Does she win the prize on the sympathy vote alone?
Might the jury look at the youngest of the contenders and say: ‘She’s got time on her side; leave her till next year’? Should they stick strictly to the year in question? – if Player A had a particularly memorable match the day before the designated year started, will the jury be able to erase it from their minds?
How on earth do you decide the Try of the Year? Many would prefer it to be a team effort rather than a solo. But that’s how many people recall Magali Harvey’s end-to-end run in the 2014 World Cup. Of course other Canadian players had to get the ball into her hands first. Even so, deciding the merits of one try over another can lead to bitter argument.
If we go by Emily Scarratt’s reminiscences, there may come an urgent call from a faraway place, asking one contender to make herself available for an assignation, “to represent your country”. That’s a cunning wheeze.
Location, location
WR likes at least one day of the year devoted to glamour, so It all takes place in Monaco, that glitzy pocket-state that is not part of France. Do all the FI racing drivers who live there leave town for the day? It’s a cramped place, Monte Carlo.
Voting
The closing date for your vote is 20 November; the revelations come four days later. So the message is “Vote Early”, (but not often!).
You can see the nominations in full @ http://4theloveofsport.co.uk/2024/11/18/nominees- revealed-for-world-rugby-awards-2024/
