Sky Sports analyst Stuart Barnes has revealed who he thinks should win the World Player of the Year award.
Barnes snubbed many people’s pick, England and Saracens Maro Itojel, in favour of the reigning champion Beauden Barrett.
Barrett, who has taken his cap total to 61, has been fabulous form the All Blacks this Autumn, making a terrific last-ditch tackle to deny Stuart Hogg what would have surely been a winning try for Scotland on Saturday.
And Barnes believes the playmaker to be a worthy winner of the award once again.
“Barrett would be my pick for World Player of the Year.” wrote Barnes in his column for Sky Sports.
Stuart Barnes’ talking points: Danny Care’s England spot, World Player of the Year, and the autumn internationals. https://t.co/uNtLp3AFAr pic.twitter.com/0qn9F2XpYE
— Sky Sports Rugby 🏉 (@SkySportsRugby) November 20, 2017
“He is prone to the odd error but is blessed with genius and an on-field influence greater still than that of the other contenders, excellent as they are.”
“His tackle on Hogg in the 80th minute was a reminder there is more to him than the flash and frilly.”
Who gets your vote?!