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South Africa dominate UK Rugby Union Writers' Club personality shortlist
By Online Editors
South Africa dominate a list of five nominees in contention to be named The Rugby Union Writers’ Club personality of the year for 2019.
The Springboks are represented extensively following their success at autumn’s World Cup where a 32-12 victory over England in the Yokohama final claimed the Webb Ellis Trophy for a third time.
Inspirational skipper Siya Kolisi – South Africa’s first black Test captain – is among the nominees and he is joined by team-mate Faf De Klerk, the irrepressible Sale Sharks scrum-half.
Also present is Rassie Erasmus, the mastermind of the Springboks’ Japan 2019 triumph despite only taking over as head coach in March 2018.
Erasmus also oversaw the nation’s fourth Rugby Championship crown and now acts as South Africa’s national director of rugby having relinquished his tracksuit duties.
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Wales captain Alun-Wyn Jones, his country’s most capped player with 134 Test appearances, and Japan talisman Michael Leitch complete the five-strong list.
Leitch was at the helm as the Brave Blossoms reached the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time, the hosts counting Ireland and Scotland among their victims and playing a thrilling brand of rugby that captured imaginations.
The winner of the coveted Pat Marshall Memorial Award will be announced at the annual dinner of the RUWC in central London on January 13.
Greats of the game whose names have been engraved on the winners’ trophy in the past include Gareth Edwards, Bill Beaumont, David Campese, Jonah Lomu, Martin Johnson, Jonny Wilkinson, Brian O’Driscoll and Dan Carter. The current holder is Ireland’s Jonathan Sexton with Owen Farrell of England winning in 2017.
- Press Association
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Latest Comments
That is a matter of players style of play. Will Jordan's strength is his running . He has been absolutely deadly for the the Crusaders in that position. Especially in years 2021-23. Foster subsequently then Razor put him on the wing. Scored heaps of tries, but as he showed in one test against Australia this year , he scored a try running from the back, that was amazing. That was after Robertson finally put him at 15 because Beauden was injured. Thankfully there Will remained. Speaking of Beauden and kicking. He kicks too much, waywardly as well. Handing the ball back to the opposition. He is an impact player at best.
Go to commentsYet Ethan Blackadder was one of our best against the World Champion Springbok. When he came back to the Crusaders later in the season , he made a huge difference, ( a long with others like Codie Taylor), we nearly made the Play Off's. Ethan has plenty of rugby left in him. His family , Dad Todd Blackadder must be very [proud of him. Todd Blackadder was a 3 time champion captain of the Crusaders, '98, '99 and 2000.An icon in this area. Also twice captain of Canterbury , '97 and 2001 when we won the NPC and Ranfurly Shield winning captain in 2000.
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