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Vito, Nacewa headline Kiwis in line for Europe's player of the year award
By Online Editors
Former All Black Victor Vito and ex-Blues player Isa Nacewa have made a shortlist of 15 players nominated for European Player of the Year, an award no Kiwi has ever won.
Vito ,who plies his trade with Top 14 champions La Rochelle, joined the side after his career in New Zealand ended with a Super Rugby title with the Hurricanes. He won Top 14's player of the year award last season in France, and will be looking to add European's top player to his achievements.
Nacewa has been invaluable for Leinster as a utility back, filling in multiple roles for the side when needed. The 35-year-old is defying father time providing ageless performances for the Irish club.
The two former New Zealand based players will be up against world-class competition in Owen Farrell (Saracens), Connor Murray (Munster), and Leone Nakarawa (Racing 92) amongst others.
The shortlist will be narrowed to five following the semi-finals of the European Champions Cup in April and the winner will be announced after the final on May 12.
European rugby's player of the year nominees for 2018: Tadhg Beirne (Scarlets, Wales), Levani Botia (La Rochelle, France), Gareth Davies (Scarlets), Scott Fardy (Leinster Rugby, Ireland), Owen Farrell (Saracens, England), Tadhg Furlong (Leinster Rugby), Conor Murray (Munster Rugby, Ireland), Isa Nacewa (Leinster Rugby), Leone Nakarawa (Racing 92, France), Morgan Parra (ASM Clermont Auvergne, France), Dany Priso (La Rochelle), Alivereti Raka (ASM Clermont Auvergne), Jonathan Sexton (Leinster Rugby), Josua Tuisova (RC Toulon, France), Victor Vito (La Rochelle).
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Latest Comments
This would be great news for England, but I would have doubts about whether he deserves a hybrid contract. He's not as good as Feyi-Waboso or Freeman, and he might be behind Roebuck and Sleightholme in the pecking order. Behind them Hendy and Elliott are probably at a similar level to Arundell.
Go to commentsNothing to do with fair or unfair for me. Purely about results & the manner in which the ABs were losing. I was optimistic in 2020 but only 3 wins from 6 tests played soon dented that. By the time Schmidt & Ryan were recruited in 2022, the ABs & Foster were a laughing stock & their win rate was in the toilet. Thankfully Schmidt & Ryan helped turn the ABs fortunes somewhat.
The biggest issue I had with Cane as Skipper was his absence for nearly 50% of tests played. Through injury. Buck Shelford wrote an article on this very issue in 2021, suggesting Cane should relinquish the captaincy & concentrate on availability when fit.
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