IRB Awards
Carter makes final play for top award
NZPA
November 23, 2008
Back line coach Wayne Smith and Dan Carter of the All Blacks celebrate in the dressing room following the Invesco Perpetual rugby match between Wales and the New Zealand All Blacks at the Millennium Stadium on November 22, 2008 in Cardiff, United Kingdom
Carter and All Blacks assistant coach Wayne Smith relax in the changing room following their side's victory over Wales at the Millennium Stadium © Getty Images
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Dan Carter picked an opportune time to impress the International Rugby Board's player of the year judging panel last night, turning in a typically accomplished performance as the All Blacks maintained their stranglehold over Wales.

Carter, one of five contenders for the main award when the IRB's awards ceremony in held in London this evening, contributed 19 points as New Zealand ground out a 29-9 win at Millennium Stadium. The world's premier first five-eighth landed five penalties and two conversions.

After missing two easy penalties against Ireland last weekend when unsettled by a silent audience at Croke Park, Carter found his range in more comforting surroundings -- a raucous 74,067 crowd that booed every attempt.

Carter's kicking in general play was also crucial in the All Blacks' exerting territorial domination after halftime -- an advantage that enabled them to score 23 unanswered points. Shane Williams, one of Carter's chief rivals for the award the New Zealander won in 2005, started the match strongly on the left wing for Wales. His first jinking run led to Stephen Jones' second penalty goal.

However, as the All Blacks asserted control the attacking threat posed by Williams -- who was nominated after scoring 14 tries in 11 tests during the selection time frame -- diminished. Wales captain Ryan Jones was the other contender on display last night -- the usual No.8 again played out of position on the blindside flank to accommodate Andy Powell.

He toiled away but Wales struggled to gain much traction at the breakdown -- an area ruled by man of the match Richie McCaw and fellow-loose forwards Rodney So'oialo and Jerome Kaino. Scotland halfback Mike Blair and Italy's No.8 Sergio Parisse are the other nominees for the IRB's most prestigious accolade.

Former Test stars Tana Umaga, Raphael Ibanez, Will Greenwood, Francois Pienaar, Agustin Pichot, Gavin Hastings, Scott Quinnell, Paul Wallace and convenor John Eales settled on a shortlist after watching over 47 hours of action from 35 test matches.

Performances in all the major internationals played during the year including the Six Nations, Tri-Nations and the June-July tests were assessed by the panel, which boasts more than 500 test caps.

The panel also selects the IRB's team and coach of the year recipients.

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