The 2014 Awards Show! Who came out on top?

The year has come to and end, and what a year it's been. We have seen the unbeatable All Blacks defeated in South Africa, the Southern Hemisphere hold on the World Rankings broken and Leicester Tigers face some catastrophic defeats. It has been one of the most topsy turvy years of rugby, teams have risen and fallen, and seen players make claims for international shirts as the World Cup looms.

This is a post unfairly condensing this year down into a dozen awards, all selections in this article are my personal opinion.

Try of the Year
Cornal Hendricks (SA) vs Wales - [See 3:20]
Special Mentions: Bernard Foley (Waratahs) vs Brumbies, Francois Hougaard (SA) vs New Zealand

Northern Hemisphere Player of the Year
Jonathan Sexton (Ireland and Racing Metro) - Superb, no other word, has formed a lethal partnership
with coach Joe Schmidt to successfully defeat opponents. Goal kicking much improved too.
Special Mentions: George North, Samu Manoa

Southern Hemisphere Player of the Year
Richie McCaw (New Zealand and Crusdaders) - Has once again defied the passage of time to put in stellar performances all year round, one of the big differences between New Zealand and every other team.

Special Mentions: Julian Savea, Willie Le Roux, Bernard Foley

Match of the Year
New South Wales Waratahs vs Cantebury Crusaders (Super XV Final) - A game full of passion, plenty of tries, and a nail-biting conclusion all you can ask for.
Special Mentions: Northampton Saints vs Leicester Tigers (Aviva Premiership Semi-final), France vs Ireland (6 Nations)

Team of the Year
New Zealand - Not quite as good as they were a year ago, losing to South Africa, but still undeniable #1 in the world, need to pin down first choice 10 for World Cup.
Special Mentions: Ireland, NSW Waratahs, Toulon


Coach of the Year
Joe Schimidt (Ireland) - He has revolutionised Irish rugby, a very different out look on rugby. Focusing on opponents weaknesses and devising a brilliant game-plan to exploit it.
Special Mentions: Steve Hansen, Vern Cotter

Breakthrough Player of the Year
Tevita Kuridrani (Australia) - Australia's answer to Tuilgai and Jamie Roberts before the World Cup. One of the best line-breakers in the game at the minute, one moment where he blasted between two South Africans cemented his place on the international stage.
Special Mentions: Teddy Thomas (France), Finn Russell (Scotland), Samson Lee (Wales), George Ford (England)

Referee of the Year
Nigel Owens (Wales) - Has there been a better ref in recent memory? His compassion for the game is legendary, understanding that the game is the most important. His quips are superb too, keeping everyone lighthearted
Special Mention: JP Doyle (England)

Biggest Problem in the Game
Scrums - They continue to plague the game, what used to be very quick and efficient method of restarting the game, has become a snore-fest as fans lose interest for two minute periods throughout the game. There is a simple solution really and it's making sure the players do their jobs:

• The scrum-half must put the ball in straight - otherwise award free-kick
• The hooker must hook the ball  - otherwise award free-kick
• Once the ball is at the back, the referee calls "Use it" - if not taken out after five seconds, award free-kick

Rookie Moment of the Year
The Arkansas Dummy - A piece of sublime skill that you have to watch a couple of times, hopefully this player makes it to the USA Eagles team soon.
Special Mentions: Gigantor Prop, World's Oldest Player

World XV of 2014:
15: Willie Le Roux - glides over the pitch, lethal attacker
14: Tommy Bowe - back to his best, predatory finisher
13: Tevita Kuridrani - explosive powerhouse, transformed Australia attack
12: Jean De Villiers - consomate leader, solid defence, hopefully back for the RWC
11: Julian Savea - try stats speak for themselves, "better than Lomu"
10: Jonathan Sexton - tactical genius, scores tries too
9: Connor Murray - other half of Ireland brain, brilliant kicking game
1: Marcos Ayerza - greatest scrummager around
2: Agustin Creevy - mobile, ball carrying, leader
3: Samson Lee - brand new, replaced the ever present Adam Jones, solid
4: Brodie Retalick - IRB Player of the Year, can carry, clear out and offload
5: Alun Wyn Jones - never stops grafting, commanding at lineout too
6: Peter O'Mahoney - the best breakdown operator in the game
7: Richie McCaw - the greatest leader in the world, still a danger at the turnover
8: Ben Morgan - transformed England's pack, wrecking ball in attack