Dummy Runner Player of the Year (2007)
Back in October, the IRB announced Springbok Bryan Habana as Player of the Year for 2007. It’s hard to argue with the selection of Habana — 13 tries in 10 internationals during 2007 (including 8 RWC tries), 8 tries during the Super 14 season, and a host of memorable runs. For my money though, Juan MartÃn Hernández was the Player of the Year.
by leonardo_ofvo_album
The RWC proved to be a coming out party for Hernández. Not only is the guy a world-class fullback, but — as the World Cup showed — he is also one of the top number 10s in the world. Strong runner, brilliant in-hand kicker, great passer, field general — what more do you need in a flyhalf? Hernández is so good that he supplanted a world-class flyhalf for his country (Felipe Contepomi) and he’s given the Stade Français coaching staff a real dilemma as to what to do with their two world-class number 10s (David Skrela and Lionel Beauxis).
For Hernández, IRB Player of the Year honors weren’t meant to be in 2007, but watch out for 2008 . . .