Two All Blacks, Brodie Retallick and Julian Savea have been named as finalists for the IRB rugby player of the year award.
All Black Julian Savea moves forward against South Africa in Westpac Stadium. Photo: PHOTOSPORT / Chris Symes
23-year-old Retallick has had a breakout season with New Zealand and in partnership with Sam Whitelock has made arguably the best second row in world rugby at present.
Brodie Retallick wins the ball. Test Match Argentina vs All Blacks during the Rugby Championship at La Plata. 2014. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Winger Savea continues a tremendous try-scoring rate, he has 10 so far this year and 29 in 31 Tests.... he's drawn comparisons to All Black legend Jonah Lomu.
The other finalists are the Springbok fullback Willie le Roux and number eight Duane Vermeulen and the Ireland first five Jonathan Sexton.
Kieran Read won the award last year, while Richie McCaw has won it 3 times and Dan Carter twice.
The IRB World Rugby Player of the Year 2014 nominees were selected by the independent IRB Awards panel, chaired by Australia's Rugby World Cup 1999 winning captain John Eales.
The panel, comprising Will Greenwood, Gavin Hastings, Raphaël Ibanez, Francois Pienaar, Agustín Pichot, Scott Quinnell, Tana Umaga and Paul Wallace.
The winner will be announced later this month.