Bryan Habana’s spectacular score against New Zealand in the inaugural Rugby Championship has been named Try of the Year for 2012 by the International Rugby Players’ Association.
skysports
The South Africa wing becomes the second Springbok to win the award after Jaque Fourie took the honour in 2009 for his score in the second Test against the British and Irish Lions.
Fourie, All Blacks legend Mils Muliaina, former IRB Player of the Year Shane Williams and Japan’s Daisuke Ohata, the leading try scorer in Test Rugby, formed the panel of judges who opted for Habana’s effort.
The other three shortlisted tries were scored by New Zealand duo Hosea Gear and Julian Savea and Julien Malzieu of France.
Habana, who was named IRB Player of the Year in 2007, stunned the All Blacks when he burst onto a pass from Francois Louw, chipped ahead and gathered in his stride before crashing over.
The try briefly handed the Springboks the lead seven minutes into the second half of the match in Dunedin which New Zealand went on to win 21-11.
“Scoring a try against the All Blacks is always special, but scoring against them in New Zealand, is even more special,” said Habana.
“I really enjoyed getting across the try-line in Dunedin – contributing to the success of the team and also lifting the spirits of my teammates.
“Winning this award is very special and hopefully I can continue scoring tries for the Springboks for a very long time.”
November 29th, 2012 at 20:29 SAST
Well done Habs, a remarkable turnaround in form this year and the praise is well deserved
November 29th, 2012 at 20:35 SAST
1 @ Just For Kicks:
Kickers… I thought you were boarding a plane for Mud Island today… or have I got the day wrong?
November 29th, 2012 at 20:52 SAST
Well this is my last hooraah. As I sit here at the airport watching the sun go down over Table Mountain, it is sad to think that we are moving to pastures new. South Africa, and particularly Elgin have brought us many pleasures over the last 17 years, and it is with a very heavy heart that I leave.
My next post will be from a very wet, and very cold England, with any bright future certainly not including the weather!!!!
I am going ahead of the rest of my family to get the house in order before they follow me in a weeks time after school has finished, but the impending return of strike action is very worrying indeed. It seems as though most of the farming communities are going to be under siege over the next while, and it won’t be a very happy Christmas for many on both sides of the fence.
I sat in a local farm stall restaurant today having breakfast with some mates before I left. On the table, right next to us were 6/7 ANC comrades, all well dressed, digging into some big plates of tucker, planning the next move of the poor strikers – most of whom probably haven’t seen a meal for a while. It makes you sick, when you witness first hand how political the whole thing is.
My thoughts go out to all the farming communities, and I hope this mess is over quickly and peacefully.
November 29th, 2012 at 20:53 SAST
2 @ grootblousmile:I am, in the Bidvest lounge, trying to eat up the internet usage before I board in a bit!
November 29th, 2012 at 20:58 SAST
4 @ Just For Kicks:
Safe trip, friend… let us know you’ve arrived safe and sound, soon as you get to your destination!
Jeeeez, I feel sad on your behalf.. not nice to have a friend move to the other side of the globe.
What time are you bound to board?
November 29th, 2012 at 21:04 SAST
@ grootblousmile:Thanks, Board at 22.30, so still awhile to sit and twiddle my thumbs!
November 29th, 2012 at 21:09 SAST
3 @ Just For Kicks:
All the best for your new adventure in life in the UK JFK. Does seem like you are leaving a sad situation over there we can only hope that somehow sanity prevails. Hope you have a good flight across and am sure you will be so busy setting things up this side that the time before your loved ones arrive will just fly by.
November 29th, 2012 at 21:10 SAST
6 @ Just For Kicks:
You being picked up in Mud Island by family?
Got a vehicle sorted out there and are your plans on track so far?
November 29th, 2012 at 21:17 SAST
@ Bullscot:Thanks, Bully, looking forward to meeting up at Murrayfield at some stage!
@ grootblousmile:No, catching the train from Paddington down to Portsmouth to see my folks, then on Monday training it again up to Edinburgh to pick up the car, and then down to Cumbria. Hopefully furniture arrives Tuesday or Wednesday, so a busy few days ahead. Glad theres no rugby on to distract me!!!!!
November 29th, 2012 at 21:21 SAST
9 @ Just For Kicks:
Yes that will be good man. Sounds like you got a busy time planned mate, if you get the time send me message on facebook and I can call you sometime.
November 29th, 2012 at 21:26 SAST
@ Bullscot:Will do, once I get the internet sorted out. Which service provider do you use/who do you recommend?
November 29th, 2012 at 21:31 SAST
9 @ Just For Kicks:
Jeez, busy schedule indeed!
November 29th, 2012 at 21:38 SAST
11 @ Just For Kicks:
Bully was blogging just now over a BT (British Telecoms) Internet connection…
You’d have to hear what is available at your new house… then maybe you could contact me if you want for some technical advice to help you decide who to use going forward.
November 29th, 2012 at 22:00 SAST
11 @ Just For Kicks:
OK, I’m out.. fly & travel safe, brother!
Talk to you soon.