Nominees from the SANZAR nations (South Africa, New Zealand and Australia) make up over two-thirds of the total nominees for the 2006 International Rugby Board 'Player of the Year' Awards to be held in Glasgow on November 26.
Australia leads the stats, with four players nominated across four categories including 2006 John Eales medal winner Chris Latham for international player of the year, Anthony Faingaa and Josh Holmes contend for U19s player of the year and Western Force winger Digby Ioane in the U21s category.
New Zealand is represented by Dan Carter - winner of 2005 IRB player of the year - and Richie McCaw in the international player of the year category and 2004 RPI Novotel Bronze Boot Winner Victor Vito in the U19s. Rounding out the remaining two contenders for IRB player of the year are recently voted South African player of the year scrumhalf Fourie du Preez and Irish Rugby Writers player of the year and lynchpin national lock Paul O'Connell.
| IRB Player of the Year |
Dan Carter (New Zealand)
Fourie du Preez (South Africa)
Chris Latham (Australia)
Richie McCaw (New Zealand)
Paul O'Connell (Ireland) |
| IRB Sevens Player of the Year |
Stefan Basson (South Africa)
Uale Mai (Samoa)
Mathew Tait (England) |
| IRB Under 19 Player of the Year |
Anthony Faingaa (Australia)
Josh Holmes (Australia)
Victor Vito (New Zealand) |
| IRB Under 21 Player of the Year |
Lionel Beauxis (France)
Keegan Daniel (South Africa)
Digby Ioane (Australia) |
| IRB Women's Personality of the Year |
Maggie Alphonsi (England)
Delphine Plantet (France)
Anna Richards (New Zealand) |
Other award categories:
IRB Team of the Year
IRB Coach of the Year
IRB Development Award
Vernon Pugh Award for Distinguished Service
Referee Award for Distinguished Service in association with Emirates Airline
Spirit of Rugby Award
IRB Sevens Teams of the Year |
