IRB International Player of the Year

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IRB Player of the Year is an accolade awarded annually by the International Rugby Board. It is awarded to the player who is adjudged to have been the best performer in rugby union internationals in the preceding season (which extends from the Autumn internationals of the previous year to the end of the current year's Tri-Nations Series. In a year when the Rugby World Cup tournament is staged, performances in that event are also taken into account.

[edit] List of winners and nominees

Year	Winner	Other nominees
2001	Keith Wood ( Ireland)	George Gregan ( Australia) Brian O'Driscoll ( Ireland) George Smith ( Australia) Jonny Wilkinson ( England)
2002	Fabien Galthié ( France)	Richie McCaw ( New Zealand) Joe van Niekerk ( South Africa) Brian O'Driscoll ( Ireland) Jason Robinson ( England)
2003	Jonny Wilkinson ( England)	Imanol Harinordoquy ( France) Richie McCaw ( New Zealand) Steve Thompson ( England) Phil Waugh ( Australia)
2004	Schalk Burger ( South Africa)	Serge Betsen ( France) Gordon D'Arcy ( Ireland) Matt Giteau ( Australia) Marius Joubert ( South Africa)
2005	Daniel Carter ( New Zealand)	Bryan Habana ( South Africa) Victor Matfield ( South Africa) Richie McCaw ( New Zealand) Tana Umaga ( New Zealand)
2006	Richie McCaw ( New Zealand)	Daniel Carter ( New Zealand) Chris Latham ( Australia) Paul O'Connell ( Ireland) Fourie du Preez ( South Africa)
2007	Bryan Habana ( South Africa)	Felipe Contepomi ( Argentina) Juan Hernandez ( Argentina) Yannick Jauzion ( France) Richie McCaw ( New Zealand)