The International Rugby Board has announced a shortlist of
four nominees for the IRB Junior Player of the Year 2010, the
second IRB Award in association with Emirates Airline to be
presented this year.
The IRB Junior Player of the Year will be announced following
the IRB Junior World Championship Final between Australia and New
Zealand on Monday, June 21 at the Estadio El Coloso del Parque in
Rosario.
The two finalists and hosts Argentina are represented in the
shortlist with New Zealand captain Tyler Bleyendaal joined by
team-mate Julian Savea, Australia centre Robbie Coleman and
Argentina fly half Ignacio Rodriguez Muedra.
SEE MATCH FOOTAGE INVOLVING ALL OF THE NOMINEES
>>
The shortlist represents the voting of team head coaches,
match officials and media at the tournament.
Tyler Bleyendaal (New Zealand)
The 20-year-old has led the Baby Blacks with
distinction, showing great vision and maturity. It was not only his
composure as captain that caught the eye, but also his
decision-making under pressure which created opportunities and gave
the New Zealand backline vital extra seconds. A formidable kicker,
even from inside his own half, Bleyendaal has drawn comparisions to
last year's IRB Junior Player of the Year, Aaron Cruden.
Robbie Coleman (Australia)
Playing in his second IRB Junior World Championship, the
19-year-old centre is one of a number of Sevens players in the
Australia squad. His experience on the IRB Sevens World Series is
evident in the confidence he shows as a 'second general'
outside fly half Matt Toomua. A try scorer in each of the pool
matches, Coleman has also created tries for his team-mates with
extraordinary strength, speed and ability to change tactics.
Ignacio Rodriguez Muedra (Argentina)
The fly half's imagination and creativity have led the
host nation to what will be their best ever position in the
prestigious Under 20 tournament. With good positional play,
Rodriguez Muedra has proved elusive thanks to his reading of the
game and willingness to take risks in order to conjure something
from nothing. A number 10 who would not look out of place in any of
the other participating teams.
Julian Savea (New Zealand)
Described by commentators as a "smaller Jonah
Lomu", the powerful and athletic wing has been almost
impossible to stop when in full flight, leaving defenders in his
wake and scoring some memorable tries. The 19-year-old has scored
eight tries in less than two and a half matches, equalling the
record of former Baby Black wing Zac Guildford for a single
tournament. Having starred for New Zealand Sevens, he has shown
great spatial awareness coupled with speed and strength.
** Watch Australia take on New Zealand in the IRB Junior
World Championship 2010 Final live and on-demand viawww.irb.com/jwcon Monday, June 21. The final kicks off at 19.10 (local
time) following the third place play-off between England and South
Africa. **
