
Rugby
Share
Published 21:01 23 Nov 2022 GMT
Explore more on these topics:
"I've often said that Johnny Sexton is the best player that Ireland have ever had. Just look at what he has won and his individual achievements - I think this is the third time he has been nominated for World Rugby Player of the Year, and he has won it once. "He is the only Irish player to really win it in the professional era. I know Keith Wood won it, early on [in 2001], but that was not the professional era, I can tell you that right now. And the calibre of players, right now, is just insane."Keith Wood claimed the first ever International Rugby Board [now World Rugby] Player of the Year in 2001, seeing off a quartet of George Gregan, Jonny Wilkinson, George Smith and his teammate and compatriot, Brian O'Driscoll. Most would readily admit that set of players is equally insane when compared to the Class of 2022. Rugby turned professional in August 1995 and many of the players that became professionals, had moved from amateur status and having to give up jobs to play the game they loved. Heaslip makes a valid point that modern rugby is far advanced, in terms of strength, conditioning, diets, preparation and analysis, but the players from Woods' generation were no more or no less world-class than the current crop. Just read out that five-man list from 2001, when Wood took the main prize home and it punctures a huge hole in the Heaslip contention. [caption id="attachment_277287" align="aligncenter" width="1024"]
Sir Steve Redgrave presents the IRB Player of the year award to Keith Wood, in November 2001. (Credit: Dave Rogers/ALLSPORT)[/caption]
On Josh van der Flier, who picked up the award last weekend, Jamie Heaslip says the Leinster and Ireland back-row is being rewarded for his high levels of consistency, for province and country, over the past few years.
"You play as you train," he said, "so if you train and play with this guy, this [accolade] makes sense. He's an unbelievable pro, and an unbelievably nice guy. He's always putting the work in, always looking to grow... he's even more relaxed in that pressure-cooking environment and the stuff he needs to do, within that."
Prendergast admits huge disappointment at Munster situation
Not ideal. It’s worrying times for Munster rugby at the moment, with problems on and off the field. After being knocked out of both the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup, controversy then surrounded the appointment of Roger Randle for next season, due to historic rape accusations. The New Zealander is coming in to replace senior […]
Rugby
11h
Kerry legend slams players for reaction to Michael Murphy punch
Not under his watch! Although the dust has pretty much settled after the Michael Murphy incident during Donegal’s NFL Division 1 final win over Kerry last month, one Kingdom legend is still not pleased with what went on. Most of the criticism was levelled at Murphy for his clear-as-day punch on Dylan Casey, as well […]
Rugby
12h
Rugby
The SportsJOE Friday Pub Quiz: Week 134
Rugby