Three British players have been included among the nominees for the International Rugby Board player of the year award. Wales captain Ryan Jones and his international colleague Shane Williams feature on a five-strong list, alongside Scotland scrum-half Mike Blair.
The other two contenders are New Zealand's imperious fly-half Dan Carter, who will begin a lucrative six-month contract with French club Perpignan in December, and Italy skipper Sergio Parisse. The winner of what is viewed as rugby union's most prestigious individual award will be announced in London on November 23.
Jones led Wales to their second Six Nations title and Grand Slam in four years last season, and is favourite for Lions captaincy duties in South Africa next summer. His Ospreys team-mate Williams, meanwhile, broke Gareth Thomas's Wales try-scoring record last term, and has scored 43 tries in 58 Test appearances. The diminutive wing is regarded as one of world rugby's most dangerous attackers, and has been identified in many quarters as the favourite for the IRB award.
Scrum-half Blair skippered Scotland to Calcutta Cup glory against England at Murrayfield last March, while Carter took the IRB's top accolade in 2005. Carter guided New Zealand to this year's Tri-Nations title, underlining his status as the world's leading fly-half, and Parisse has led Italy under the coaching regime of Nick Mallett, establishing himself among the most consistent number eights in international rugby.
"The IRB player of the year award is the ultimate accolade for a player," said IRB chairman Bernard Lapasset. "It takes into account performances in all the major internationals played during the year, including the Six Nations, Tri-Nations and the June-July Tests. The list of past winners of this coveted award is impressive, and reads like a who's who of the international game in recent years. Jonny Wilkinson, Schalk Burger, Richie McCaw, Fabien Galthie, Dan Carter, Bryan Habana and Keith Wood were all worthy recipients of the award, while Carter would be the first player to win twice should he be selected."
The awards judges, a panel that includes John Eales, Gavin Hastings and Francois Pienaar, will also vote on the IRB's team and coach of the year. Lapasset added: "Now that the shortlist has been selected, the panel will reconvene during the November Tests when the IRB player of the year will be selected."
Elsewhere, South Africa are attempting to bring southern hemisphere rugby into line with the rest of the global game by taking a stand against Australia and New Zealand over Experimental Law Variations (ELVs). The South African Rugby Union wants to ensure the 2009 Tri-Nations and Super 14 competitions are played under the same laws as next summer's Test series against the British and Irish Lions.
That means ditching the controversial 'sanctions regulation' - where most penalties are replaced by free-kicks - which was used in this year's SANZAR competitions but does not feature in the global ELV trial. Australia and New Zealand are supporters of the sanctions regulation and believe it makes rugby a better product for spectators.
They were informed of South Africa's stance on the ELVs overnight and the matter will be discussed at the SANZAR executive committee meeting in Sydney on October 15. If no consensus can be reached, SARFU would be prepared to take the matter to arbitration. "We will play the Springbok end of year tour matches under the global ELVs and, most importantly, we will play the British and Irish Lions under the global ELVs next year," said SARFU president Oregon Hoskins. "For consistency's sake and to allow our Springboks the smoothest possible preparations for next year's crucial series against the Lions it is vital that we play under one set of laws."
