Wales join France and New Zealand with a grand total of three representations on the International Rugby Board and International Rugby Players’ Association’s 15-man shortlist for the 2009 Try of the Year Award.
Former IRB world player of the year for 2008 Shane Williams is the only player to appear on the list twice – for his 50th international try which he scored for Wales during the Invesco Perpetual Series 33-16 victory over Argentina at the Millennium Stadium this November, running in from his own half; and for his scoring exploits on behalf of the British and Irish Lions against South Africa in the final Test of the tour on 4 July.
Williams’ Wales and Ospreys team-mate Lee Byrne is the other Welshman on the list, nominated for his incisive line-break and 40 metre run against France in the RBS Six Nations defeat at Stade de France last February.
Last year’s winner was Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll, who won the inaugural IRPA Try of the Year Award for his try against Australia in June 2008.
Byrne, who has been missing from international duty through injury since pulling up on the Lions tour of South Africa but expected back in action soon, is delighted to be in such prestigious company.
“It’s been difficult watching Wales from the sidelines to be honest, it’s not necessarily a case of being out of sight and out of mind but rugby is about the players on the pitch and all I’ve been able to do is concentrate on getting fit,” said Bryne.
“Shane has been as scintillating as ever and the score against Argentina has got to be one of the best tries I’ve ever seen, but it’s great for me that my try against France is in there too.
“I wasn’t quite as far out as Shane but it was certainly a great team effort, we worked the space and all I really had to do next was run the right line and pin my ears back.
“Hopefully one of us will win it but in any case this is a great reminder to this Wales team of what we are capable of, to think of all the rugby played last year around the world and we effectively have three spots in the top 15, that should send a really positive message to us all.”
For the first time, the global Rugby family can vote online for their favourite try from a shortlist of superb tries from the RBS Six Nations, British & Irish Lions Series, Tri Nations and June and November internationals.
Rugby fans are invited to visit www.irb.com and click on the IRPA Try of the Year to see the 14 players in contention for the coveted Award. By clicking on the player’s image, fans can view the tries and then vote for their preferred choice.
“The IRPA Try of the Year is a hugely anticipated Award. Fans have an opportunity to vote for players representing eight nations, plus the British & Irish Lions, and I am sure the vote will be close,” said IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset.
Three tries from the Lions Series make the cut, Jaque Fourie and Rob Kearney making up the trio alongside Williams, with three from the Tri Nations and three from the RBS Six Nations.
Russia’s Alexander Yanyushkin also features for his sensational score against Uruguay at the IRB Nations Cup in June.
The online poll will close on December 31, 2009 and the winner will be announced in early January.
Votes for IRPA Try of the Year should be sent to [email protected]
