The Six Nations Awards
Thu, 25 Mar 2010 16:48
The Big Award: The Six Nations Trophy is what it is all about
The dust has settled on another year of Six Nations action, and we cast one last look at the most memorable moments, the big winners and the bigger losers of the 2010 tournament.
Take a look at rugby365.com's Six Nations Awards!
Player of the Tournament
There were several commendable performances in this year's Six Nations, but there were a few players who stood head and shoulders above the rest in the competition.
Ireland's Tommy Bowe was an ever-present danger, and has surely established himself as one of the best finishers in the world game. French fullback Clement Poitrenaud was solid on defence and electrifying on attack and teammate Imanol Harinordiquoy was a wrecking ball of an eighthman, but our award goes to French captain Thierry Dusautoir.
A menacing presence around the breakdown and on defence, an unrivalled work-rate and superb
reading of the game make him the 'complete-package' as a loose forward. His cool demeanour provided a calming influence to the otherwise fiery French outfit.
Forward of the Tournament
The French pack as a whole were magnificent, with front-row forward William Servat deserving of an honourable mention for his play at the set-piece and in the loose.
But other than Dusautoir, two flanks really caught the eye – both of them Irish.
Stephen Ferris was a constant nuisance at ruck-time, but David Wallace was the man who shone most brightly in the Green pack. A grafter by nature, Wallace has added ball-carrying ability to his game and is up there with the best loose forwards in Europe.
Back of the Tournament
Arguments could be made for Poitrenaud, scrumhalf Morgan Parra and even Irish left wing Keith Earls, who all had strong
tournaments, but none of them quite had the impact of Tommy Bowe. He has gone from strength-to-strength since an impressive Lions tour to South Africa last year and his displays in this tournament have put him up there among the elite wings in the world.
Team of the Tournament
Not a difficult choice here. France have always had a reputation of blowing hot and cold, but this year they consistently raised the temperature gauge (apart from a luke-warm performance to seal the Grand Slam against England) Individual brilliance has been supplemented with a sound structure, and if Les Bleus continue like this, they could be the only European team with a realistic shot at next year's World Cup.
Try of the Tournament
Several contenders here – Diminutive wing Marc Andreu scored one for the little guys with some fleet-footed
magic against the Azzurri, Johnnie Beattie did a Jonah Lomu on Irish fullback Geordan Murphy on his way to the tryline and Italy's replacement scrumhalf Pablo Canovosio scored a thrilling match-winner after centre Gonzalo Canale ran a great line from a switch.
For pure drama and excitement though, the award must go to Shane Williams' last-minute effort that saw Wales snatch a 31-28 victory to break Scottish hearts.
Match of the Tournament
The best team performance had to have been France's 33-10 demolition of Ireland, Scotland were brilliant in their shock win over Ireland in the last round, but in a tournament that only rarely got the pulse racing, Wales heart- stopping win over the Scots was a classic.
Newcomer of the Tournament
Some impressive newcomers made the step up to the Six Nations this year and
certainly made their mark on the Northern Hemisphere game.
Beattie was one of the best eighthmen in the competition, Wales' Sam Warburton didn't look out of place as an International loose-forward and Andreu, standing at a tiny 5 ft 5, was energetic and a breath of fresh air in amongst the brutes around him.
Jonny Sexton and Cian Healy are not total newcomers to the international stage, but they are to the Six Nations, and if this duo are anything to go by, it looks as if the future of Irish rugby is in good hands.
Our award though, goes to young Welsh lock Bradley Davies.
The young Cardiff Blues man not only had to contend with making his first start in a Wales jersey against a rampant France side, but also dealing with the death of his mother in the week leading up to it. Not only did he play, but he played well. Well enough to secure his place in Wales' final two games.
Villain
of the Tournament
Lee Byrne and Alun- Wyn Jones were both cast in the villain's role for moments of madness which cost Wales possible wins against Ireland and England respectively, but the these acts were more idiotic than malicious.
The man who did the most damage to his reputation (and that of the game as a whole) must be Jerry Flannery for his wild hack to the shin of France wing Alexis Palisson during the 33-10 defeat of Ireland at the Stade de France.
He was cited and banned for the remainder of the tournament, but he can consider himself lucky it wasn't the rest of the season.
The 'How's my driving?' Award
While we are on the subject of stupidity, we have to mention Andy Powell.
The drunken 'golf-buggy' incident may have just been a good story to tell his mates had he not been arrested and axed from the national squad, but this
night of drinking that had a particularly bad hangover for the big No.....a 15 months driving ban and £1000 fine hangover to be precise.
Despite this, the eightman is not without his supporters – just check out Facebook's Andy Powell Appreciation Society For Driving A Golf Buggy On The M4' (check out the pic above).
It currently has over 127 000 followers!
Lifetime Achievement
It is fair to say that the Six Nations has its fair share of old crocks.
Martyn Williams, Chris Paterson and Mike Tindall seem to have been around forever, but Simon Shaw is a legend among veterans. At 35, not only is Shaw still holding his own at the highest level, but he isn't showing signs of stopping. The old man might even have another World Cup in him.
What was all the hype about?
Jamie Roberts, Riki Flutey, Delon Armitage...so much expected, so little
delivered.
'Thanks for the memories'
It would have be taking the easy rout to have a shot at Jonny Wilkinson for being past his 'sell-by' date, but we would rather focus on all that the great man has done for the game. His best days are behind him, and maybe it is best if he quits with his incredible reputation intact.
Also, a quick word for Croke Park. The iconic Irish stadium was always meant to be a stop-gap while Lansdowne Road was renovated, but it is doubtful that the new one will measure up to Croke in terms of atmosphere. It will be sorely missed.
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