2012/13 Awards

Winners 2012/13
 
Manager of the Year Luke
 
Most Improved Manager of the Year Steve
 
Team of the Year Leicester Tigers
 
Most Improved team of the year London Welsh
 
Player of the Year Jonny Wilkinson
 
Young Player of the Year Marland Yarde
 
EQ Player of the Year Jonny Wilkinson
 
Signing of the Season Stuart Hogg
 
Find of the Season Mako Vunipola
 
Team of the Season
 
 
1. Cian Healy
2. Tom Youngs
3. Dan Cole
4. Eben Etzebeth
5. Sam Whitelock
6. Tom Wood
7. Justin Tipuric
8. Louis Picamoles
9. Danny Care
10. Jonny Wilkinson
11. Marland Yarde
12. Wesley Fofana
13. Manu Tuilagi
14. Alex Cuthbert
15. Leigh Halfpenny

Nice one Steve, will have a little think about who to vote for.

Yes its the same mate. Just a idea of what you consider to be the best in the league in each position really over the last year or so. Just a bit of fun no stress if you can't do it.

Sorry mate, my confusion, I thought it was asking for which team was the best, but you mean like a dream team. I'll give it some thought.

Yeah along those lines.

Manager of the Year

Pete - Gave up a mighty Saracens squad and has built up a formidable London Welsh side. Winning the Amlin and HC qualification for next year is a hugely successful season.

Most Improved Manager of the Year

SJE - Has once again improved his squad hugely and was unfortunate to miss out on the Play offs. So tough to win at Sale and will challenge hard next year. Also has a brilliant set of youngster's coming through.

Team of the Year

Leicester - Formidable in all competitions with a excellent squad. Finished top of the pile after the league finished and were competitive in other comp

Most Improved team of the year

Tigers

Player of the Year

Wesley Fofana

Young Player of the Year

Christian Wade

EQ Player of the Year

Dan Cole

Signing of the Season

Stuart Hogg - For 16 mil he was a steal.

Find of the Season

Simon Zebo - His best yet to come but think he is an astounding players.

Team of the Season

1. Cian Healy
2. Andrew Hore
3. Dan Cole
4. Nathan Hines
5. Sam Whitelock
6. Willem Alberts
7. Julian Salvi
8. Sergio Parisse
9. Ruan Pienaar
10. Jonny Sexton
11. Digby Ioane
12. Wesley Fofana
13. Conrad Smith
14. Alex Cuthbert
15. Leigh Halfpenny

Manager of the Year - Chris

Most Improved Manager of the Year - Luke

Team of the Year - Northampton Saints

Most Improved team of the year - Harlequins

Player of the Year - Johhny Wilkinson

Young Player of the Year - Marland Yarde

EQ Player of the Year - Danny Care

Signing of the Season - Stuart Hogg

Find of the Season -

Team of the Season

1 Andrew Sheridan
2 Dylan Hartley
3 John Afoa
4 Bakkies Botha
5 Sam Whitelock
6 Tom Wood
7 Justin Tipuric
8 Ben Morgan
9 Danny Care
10 Jonny Wilkinson
11 Marland Yarde
12 Wesley Fofana
13 Manu Tuilagi
14 Vincent Clerc
15 Rob Kearney

Manager of the Year - Luke

Most Improved Manager of the Year - Steven

Team of the Year - Tigers

Most Improved team of the year - London Welsh

Player of the Year - Jonny Wilkinson

Young Player of the Year - Freddie Burns/Marlon Yarde

EQ Player of the Year - Danny Care

Signing of the Season - Stuart Hogg (bargain!)

Find of the Season - Israel Foloa

Team of the Season

1 Cian Healy
2 Stephen Moore
3 Dan Cole
4 Eben Etzebeth
5 Sam Whitelock
6 Mamuka Gorgodze
7 Justin Tipuric
8 Louis Picamoles
9 Danny Care
10 Jonny Wilkinson
11 George North
12 Jamie Roberts
13 BOD
14 Tommy Bowe
15 Rob Kearney

Manager of the Year

Steve - on paper shouldn't have finished 2nd, but did, which is a testament to how well he has done. Super achievement.

Most Improved Manager of the Year

Tough one to call, but am going to go for Fluxy, who inherited a poor sqaud, and were it not for him not getting in a team one week (against Worcester I think), he may well have kept them up.

Team of the Year

Leicester Tigers - They have been the toughest team to beat in the league.

Most Improved team of the year

Sale Sharks - SJE has improved them out of sight from where they were when he took over and was very unlucky to miss out on the play offs this season.

Player of the Year

Tying to think who has made a difference in predos most often, and keep on coming back to Jonny Wilkinson, so got to go for him.

Young Player of the Year

Patric Lambie - was a massive signing for Worcester and completely changed the way they were able to play.

EQ Player of the Year

Jonny Wilkinson - See above.

Signing of the Season

Morne Steyn - Stole this having seen Drivers comments below, but he is absolutely spot on with his assessment.

Find of the Season



Team of the Season


I need to have a bit more of a think about the other categories.

Manager of the Year

Chris – Dethroned the European dynasty that is Gloucester after picking up the Anglo Welsh and being involved in the playoff battle until the last few weeks of the league. Has had the best season across all competitions and with a strong squad must surely be aiming towards league honours next season.

Honourable mention: Steve – Unlucky not to be competing in back to back finals after a tight Heineken cup semi defeat. Has competed well across all competitions and his 3-5 year plan looks to be paying dividends.

Most Improved Manager of the Year

Luke - Has seen the importance of depth and built a squad to compete across the whole league season rather than stacked for one period of the season. No side can take a call up/injury and just make a like for like quality replacement like Tigers. Much more media savvy as well this season

Honourable mention: Prop – Perharps helped by his move to Irish but has become more tactically savvy this season and his transfer dealings have been amongst the best in the league.

Team of the Year

Leicester Tigers – Top of the pile across the 22 games and as mentioned above probably the most balanced squad in the league currently.

Honourable mention: Northampton Saints – Have had the most successful season across all competitions this year.

Most Improved team of the year

Saracens – Massive improvements made in the starting 15 under the management of DHL and have taken the mantel of most feared team to play in the heavy rain from Worcester & Gloucester.

Honourable mention: London Welsh – Strong starting 15 at the start of the season after the Sarries/Welsh hybrid but Pete has done extremely well to build depth up through the squad highlighted by the Amlin win.

Player of the Year

Johnny Wilkinson – Has been the crucial player in so many predictions this season for Tigers and swayed many a win.

Honourable mention: Wesley Fofanna – One of the form players across the whole season and been crucial to Saints chances this year.

Young Player of the Year

Julien Savea – Has finally stepped up after the early promise shown and gives Saints probably the scariest looking back line in the league.

Honourable mention: Will Fraser – Strong season and has stepped up to feel the breach for Irish after the departure of Steffan Armitage.

EQ Player of the Year

Tom Wood – Probably England’s outstanding player this year and is a hark back to the days of Richard Hill. He is the key man in Quins back row this season.

Honourable mention: Freddie Burns – Massive prediction winner earlier in the season and central to Quins open style of play. Unfortunately faded off as we got to the business end of the season.

Signing of the Season

Israel Folau – High risk purchase that has paid off well for Gloucester and brings another dimension to their back three.

Honourable mention: Stuart Hogg – Brought into the league relatively quietly but is possibly one of the best steals the league has ever seen at 16m.

Find of the Season

Mako Vunipola – Been sitting quietly in the Saints academy biding his time till exploding onto the scene this season and is now considered a starter over the likes of Thomas Domingo.

Honourable mention: Iain Henderson – Has trodden the path from u20’s to full senior international in the space of a season. Played a role in the Sale campaign early on before being a key player for Wasps.

Team of the Season

Done this as a hybrid of who’s been the most important for particular sides in predictions and who has been the best in real life.

1. Cian Healy – Helps set the tempo to Baths carrying game with his barnstorming runs. Faced competition from Andrew Sheridan who locked down the Tigers scrum and Mako Vunipola in his break out season at Saints.

2. Adrian Strauss – No real stand out in the league at the moment for predictions. Feel Strauss would arguably start for any international side in the world bar South Africa and is a central part of the Glaws pack. Faced competition from Tom Youngs who added fantastic dynamism to Tigers.

3. Adam Jones – Doesn’t bring much in the loose but more then makes up for it as the corner stone of Irish’s scrum. Honourable mention to John Afoa and Davit Zirakishvilli who served their sides well all year round.

4. Nathan Hines – Central to the massive Tigers front 5. Like a fine wine has only improved with age. Faced competition from Bakkies Botha & Matt Garvey who led their packs strongly through the year.

5. Paul O’Connell – Came to fitness at a crucial time for Newcastle and his leadership saw them make the playoffs. Honourable mention to the ever consistent Sam Whitelock & Andries Bekker.

6. Julien Bonnaire - Vanquished talks of retirement last season to hold together the Saints lineout and play a crucial role in their most successful season to date. Faced competition from Sean O’Brien who continues to improve his all round game season on season.

7. Tom Wood – Cheating a little but he is bordering world class with his performances this season and is the most vital part of the Quins backrow. Special mention to Steffan Armitage who brought some serious dynamism to the Sarries pack in their battle against relegation.

8. Louis Picamoles – The strongest carrying 8 in the world and central to Sale’s open offloading game with his lovely soft hands. Faced competition from Juan Martin Fernando Lobbe who has lead Bath valiantly this season and Nick Easter a key carrier for Harlequins.

9. Morgan Parra – Taken on the task of managing the Welsh backline with aplomb and has been consistent throughout the season. Honourable mentions to Will Genia, Danny Care & Ruan Pienaar who all hit the heights at various stages of the season.

10. Johnny Wilkinson – Has to be room in the team for the player of the season! Has helped set the tempo for Tigers throughout the season. Faced competition from Johnny Sexton and Freddie Burns who brought fantastic open running rugby to the league and the contrasting Morne Steyn whos boot was central to Sarries game plan.

11. Julien Savea – Hit the ground running after his return from All Blacks duty through the first third of the season. Israel Dagg won’t be looking forward to playing him anytime soon. Honourable mention to Alex Cuthbert who despite some defensive lapses has brought some excitement to the Falcons back three.

12. Wesley Fofanna – The form inside centre in the world this season. Never fails to make it to the gain line and has provided much needed spark to the Saints back line. Faced competition from Brad Barritt & Ma’a Nonu who played crucial roles in the relegation battle.

13. Conrad Smith – Class above everyone else at 13 over the last twelve months and part of the most creative midfield axis in the league at Irish. Honourable mention to BOD who has led the Tigers backline through the season and Jean De Villiers who led the resurgence at Saracens.

14. Johnny May – The most electric EQ back in the league and a massive prediction winner for Gloucester all year. Faced competition from Christian Wade and Marland Yarde judging by the try scorers chart

15. Leigh Halfpenny – Mr. Dependable at the back has kept the scoreboard ticking over for Saints all season. Honourable mention to Stuart Hogg who has lit the league up from fullback for Bath.

Manager of the Year
Chris

Publicly stated he wanted to win cups, and then went on and won both the Heineken and LV Cup competitions.


Most Improved Manager of the Year
Prop

Given his shot at a big club and when he took over Irish they were plummeting after being without a manager. He steadied the ship really well.


Team of the Year
Quins

Steve has gone from 6th to 2nd in a season, and Quins are a nightmare to try to beat. Great first XV, but then real quality past that to be competitive all season long.


Most Improved team of the year
London Welsh

Pete took over Welsh last year, and boosted by some signings from Sarries, they did amazingly well to beat Toulon in the Amlin final and also to get a top 6 finish.


Player of the Year
Will Genia

When Genia plays for Gloucs they look a different side. So influential in the 2nd half of the season, and guided his side on an incredible run of form.


Young Player of the Year
Marlon Yarde

To top the try scoring charts in front of seasoned wingers is a great achievement. Season topped by int cap last week.


EQ Player of the Year
Jonny May

Huge player for matt who looks great in the back three and gives serious pace to Gloucs when he plays.


Signing of the Season
Stuart Hogg

£16m? Joke. Outstanding bargain.


Find of the Season
Joe Launchbury

Played a lot of games for Saints, covered at blindside on occasion and been England's player of the year. As the season grew Chris relied on him more and more.


Team of the Season
01. Tendai Mtawrira
02. Andrew Hore
03. John Afoa
04. Ed Slater
05. Jim Hamilton
06. Peter O'Mahony
07. Tom Wood
08. Louis Picamoles

09. Will Genia
10. Freddie Burns
11. Marlon Yarde
12. Wesley Fofana
13. Manu Tuilagi
14. Jonny May
15. Stuart Hogg

Manager of the Year: Steve. From just about finishing in the top 6 last year to being on the cusp of winning the league and a close Heino semi defeat.

Most Improved Manager of the Year: Prop. Made Worcester a very solid team before moving to London Irish who he has improved considerably.

Team of the Year: Leicester Tigers. Hardly remember Leicester losing this season, quality team with incredible depth

Most Improved team of the year: London Welsh. Have improved immeasurably with some of Pete's dealing and wouldn't be surprised to see them move up the table

Player of the Year: Wesley Fofana. Saints look so much better with him in the side

Young Player of the Year: Marlon Yarde. Scored so many tries for Irish.

EQ Player of the Year: Jonny Wikinson. Made a huge difference to so many of the Tigers games this season.

Signing of the Season: Justin Tipuric. £15m From Summer, wasn't a bad signing.

Find of the Season Mako Vuinpola. Become a huge player for Chris repaying his faith

Team of the Season
1. Tendai Mtawaria
2. Tom Youngs
3. Dan Cole
4. Eben Etzbeth
5. Andries Bekker
6. Mamuka Gorgodze
7. Michael Hooper
8. Louis Picamoles
9. Danny Care
10. Jonny Wilkinson
11. Julian Savea
12. Wesley Fofana
13. Mathieu Basteraund
14. Alex Cuthbert
15. Leigh Halfpenny

Will tot these up next weekend so if anyone wants to do them if they haven't already they have this week.

Steven_Sharks wrote:End of season awards similar to how we have done it last few years. If I've missed any off let me know.

Manager of the Year LukeLovesLuka - Turned Tigers into title winners with a long term plan and some exciting players mixed in with clever dealing

Most Improved Manager of the Year
CJB - I was going to give this to prop but i think he's always been a rugby expert in his tactics but never had the greatest of squad. CJB has demonstrated a vast improvment in his rugby know how this season.

Team of the Year
[i]Leicester Tigers Premiership winners easy choice

Most Improved team of the year

Harlequins - From mid table to title challangers , Steves youth policies paying off.

Player of the Year Wesley Fofana - Huge talent and won Saints some tight games this season

Young Player of the Year Eben Etzebeth - Huge player for Glaws and a monster in there pack

EQ Player of the Year

Freddie Burns - Steared Quins to within inches of a league title.

Signing of the Season

Not Hogg he was signed last season

Morne Steyn - Saracens. Suited Sarries to a tee and took them from the foot of the table

Find of the Season

Isreal Falou

Team of the Season

1.Mako Vunipola (Northampton)
2.Stephen Moore (Leicester Tigers)
3.Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers)
4.Pascal Pape (Leicester Tigers)
5.Steve Borthwick (Harlequins)
6.Tom Wood (Harlequins)
7.Steffon Armitage (Saracens)
8.Duane Vermuelan (London Welsh)

9.Connor Murrey (Gloucester)
10.Morne Steyn (Saracens)
11.Marlane Yarde (London Irish)
12.Jamie Roberts (Harlequins)
13.Wesley Fofana (Northampton)
14.George North (Bath)
15.Rob Kearney (Harlequins)

Ooo rugby expert, cheers driver!!