Strong start, good finish… shame about the middle!

SHANE WILLIAMS

WALES AND LIONS LEGEND

It’s that time of year again when everyone is handing out awards. So, I thought I’d do the same and give you my top picks of the year in the northern hemisphere. Players love to pick up gongs so here are a few names to conjure with and argue over.

The abiding memory for me in 2021 will be the stoic way in which rugby found a way to carry on – with and without fans.

It all started so well with Wales winning an unexpected Six Nations title and then fell apart in the middle with the British & Irish Lions losing in a pretty grim series in South Africa. Everything picked up a bit in the autumn with Ireland and France beating New Zealand.

The damage done by Covid to the game at all levels is still incalculable. The finances have been shot to pieces at all levels, but the essential spirit of the game has remained the same. The enthusiasm with which all the junior players came back at my village club, Amman United, was wonderful to witness and I’m sure was mirrored around the UK and Ireland.

That was a moment to remember all the hard work put into the game at grassroots level by the thousands of unpaid helpers. There is still so much goodwill in this great game and we should never forget that.

Two things also filled me with joy late on the in year. First, it was the way in which Cardiff Rugby threw the kitchen sink at Toulouse and Harlequins in their Heineken Champions Cup matches. Many thought they should have cried off given their lack of players following their enforced quarantine on returning from South Africa.

With a team of kids they had the Arms Park bouncing against the reigning European champions. They then managed to score some great tries at Harlequins. It was much the same for mighty Munster in their opening game at Wasps, where they had to send a scratch team. They both won new friends and my admiration.

Secondly, a bit closer to home, I was delighted to see a picture of Ifan Phillips safe and well at home following his serious motorbike accident. Whatever he was destined to be on the pitch with the Ospreys and potentially Wales, I’m sure he will reach similar heights in whatever path he chooses to take for the rest of his life.

And now on to my awards for 2021. The winners are…

Player of the Year – Forward

He is the immovable object in the Leinster, Ireland and Lions front row and the best tighthead I’ve seen since Adam Jones. Tadgh Furlong can pass, sidestep and scrummage – he is the complete package. He simply gets better and better and will no doubt have his sights set on a Grand Slam in 2022 after helping the Irish beat the All Blacks last month.

Player of the Year – Back

He’s already picked up the World Rugby Player of the Year title and now Antoine Dupont gets my vote for being the most exciting player on the planet. He guided Toulouse to a stunning Champions Cup and Top 14 double and then captained France to their stunning 40-25 win over New Zealand in the autumn.

Breakthrough Player of the Year – Back

It simply has to be Marcus Smith. He has been on everyone’s radar, except it seemed Eddie Jones’, and lit up the Premiership with his skill and daring. He was the catalyst for Harlequins winning the title and his club form earned him a call-up for the Lions. He is now a fully-fledged England international and should be given an extended run at No.10. He’s the sort of player that everyone wants to pay money to go and see.

“Tadgh Furlong can pass, sidestep and scrummage – he is the complete package”

Breakthrough Player of the Year – Forward

This was a tough choice, but I had to go for Taine Basham. His performances for Wales in the autumn series were simply off the scale. His tackling, jackaling and ball-carrying are all top notch and however well-blessed Wales are in the back row department the Dragons star is now almost one of the first names to fill any of the three positions.

Unsung Hero of the Year

For the way he played at Gloucester, for Scotland and the Lions, my pick here is Chris Harris. He always seems to fly under the radar, yet his contribution to any team in which he plays is massive. If it was a surprise to some that he made the Lions tour, it was no surprise to me that he broke into the Test team. One of those players that everyone wants on their side.

Try of the Year

I know I’m going to get a bit of stick for this one, but I simply loved the try that Louis Rees-Zammit scored against Scotland to put Wales back in front on 70 minutes. He got the ball on the halfway line, hared past his marker and inside cover, kicked over the full-back and won the race for the bouncing ball at a canter. Everyone else seemed to be going in slow-motion compared to him. It was like a try from the great JJ Williams, although with bells on! Oh, and Wales won!!

Coach of the Year

It could have been Toulouse’ Ugo Mola, or even Harlequins stand-in Billy Millard, but my vote goes to Irish boss Andy Farrell. He has had his critics since taking over from Joe Schmidt, but his side’s form in their autumn campaign was outstanding. They dominated the All Blacks for significant periods in their 29-20 win and hammered both Argentina and Japan. My favourites for the Six Nations.

Referee of the Year

The best referees always end up controlling the best games. Sometimes that is because they are given the top fixtures, but more often than not it is because they have the respect of the players and help them to reach their full potential. We’ve loved watching the games in which Nigel Owens and Wayne Barnes have been in the middle and these days the man to watch is Luke Pearce.

Worst Moment of 2021

The Lions tour – enough said. Morne ‘Bloody’ Steyn again! An opportunity for true rugby immortality for Warren Gatland that fell by the wayside. And what was his opposite number, Rassie Erasmus, thinking of when he had his rant? What should have been a wonderful summer of rugby was ruined by Covid circumstances and a dour style of play. The tour should have been postponed for a year.

Best Moment of 2021

I’m going to be a little bit parochial again here I’m afraid. Go back to the final round of games in the Six Nations and remember the scene in Paris. France needed to score four tries and win by 21 points to take the title away from Wales. When Finn Russell was dismissed for foul play nine minutes from time with his team losing it looked like curtains for the gallant Scots. But one final push, and a second try for Duhan van der Merwe, earned them a 27-23 win in the fourth minute of added time. A first win in Paris for the Scots since 1999 and a second title in three years for Wales. Oh, what a perfect day!