Thierry Dusautoir is only northern hemisphere player on IRB shortlist

? IRB name contenders for player of the year award
? Three New Zealanders and two Australians on list

The France captain, Thierry Dusautoir, is the only northern hemisphere representative on the shortlist for the IRB player of the year award.

New Zealand's Piri Weepu, Jerome Kaino and Ma'a Nonu, who will line up against Dusautoir in Sunday's Rugby World Cup final, are included on the list.

Australia, who beat New Zealand to claim the Tri-Nations title this season but lost to the All Blacks in the World Cup semi-finals, are represented by David Pocock and Will Genia.

The winner will be announced on Monday. The All Blacks captain, Richie McCaw, who won the IRB award last year for the third time, did not make the shortlist.

• France rugby union team
• Rugby World Cup 2011
• Rugby union

guardian.co.uk © 2011 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds

Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2011/oct/19/thierry-dusautoir-northern-irb-shortlist

Obama administration Censorship BBC2 Milan Baros Financial Services Authority (FSA) Small business