Heineken Cup Awards 2011/2012

A look back at another vintage Heineken Cup year.

Team of the Year:

Leinster Rugby. Third Heineken Cup in four years says it all. One of the greatest European teams ever, they don't know how to lose and seem have ten more points then they deserve in every match. Absolutely ruthless. Eight different players started the 09 final to the match on Saturday. They are evolving while winning the Heineken Cups, incredible.

Player of the Year:

Rob Kearney. The couple of times his team were in trouble this season he came up with the goods whether be a drop goal, rampaging run or an audacious catch Kearney has turned into the complete player. A man in the bar beside me said on Saturday "Einstein said definition of stupidity was do the same thing twice and expect different results, well then why hell does anybody bother kick the ball high to Kearney". I think the man was right it is borderline stupidity to test Kearney in the air. 

New player of the year:

Wesley Fofana. Only for a serious case of bad luck Fofana in the Semi Finals could well be the European player of the year but the young French man will have to be content for now. An explosive runner with an incredible off loading game has taken Europe by storm this year. Don't let this guy start because he is bloody hard to stop. 

Try of the Season:

Craig Gilroy. Incredible opportunistic effort by the young winger. Evading four tacklers with elusive feet while keeping his head up and two hands on the ball to ensure no more Munster defenders would commit was a real joy to behold. One of the best solo tries you will see in a long time.

Kick of the season:

Ronan O Gara. Pienaars in the final from 60 metres on Saturday was class but O Garas 45 metre drop goal into a swirling wind was one of the finest strikes of a ball you will ever see. One of the most memorable moments in the competitions history.

Tackle of the Season:

Rory Best. Ulsters captains tackle on the rampaging Sean O Brien five metres from his own line was one of the best individual displays of skill I have ever seen on a rugby field. O Brien who at the best of times is difficult to stop looked destined to cruise over for a try until the Best managed to bring him down with an incredible around the waist tackle. 

Moment of Genius:

Brian O Driscoll. He have lost a yard of pace but Dricos inside pass to Sean O Brien was a joy behold and reminded us all that class is permanent. In many ways that moment was a symbolised Leinsters performance this year, brute force combined with skill.

Shock of the season:

Edinburgh. Not many gave them a chance against Toulouse but Michael Bradleys charges proved that there is still a kick in Scottish rugby. Despite being down to 13 men at one stage the Edinburgh team never gave up and kept tackling and hounding to pull one of the biggest upsets in the competitions history. 

Underachievers: 

Northampton Saints. Incredible to think that last years runners up were so near to beating to Munster in Thomond Park but ended up only winning two of their six group games. The Saints were reeling for the opening three rounds after Rogs drop goal and with Downey, Ashton etc moving on its hard to see this exciting team being competitive in Europe for a while.

Team of the Year:

15. Rob Kearney

14. Tim Visser

13. Brian O Driscoll

12. Wesley Fofana

11. Sitiveni Sivivatu

10. Jonny Sexton

 9.  Ruan Peinaar

 8.  Peter O Mahony

 7. Chris Henry

 6. Stephen Ferris

 5. Dan Toughy

 4. Nathan Hines

 3. John Afoa 

 2. Rory Best

 1. Cian Healy

Thanks for reading, for more rugby debates,chat and banter follow
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Foreign Heroes 2000 - 2012

The 2000 - 2012 period in provincial rugby has been nothing short of astonishing. With 4 Heineken Cups in the bag and another on the way in the past twelve years it is likely we will never see such dominance by the Irish provinces again. Munster kicked it all of in 2000 when losing to Northampton, they lost another final in 2002 before finally winning their Holy Grail in 2006. In 2008 Munster won the trophy again versus a star studded Toulouse. In 09 Leinster got in on the act with their first trophy and then stormed to another victory in 2011 against Northampton. At the moment we are ten 10 days out from the first all Irish final between Leinster, who are looking to become only the second team to defend the title and Ulster who have really pulled up their socks and are beginning to repay the faith their supporters have shown over the past 12 years. Of course discussing the times Irish provinces won the cup is forgetting some amazing moments including the all Irish battles in 06 and 09, Leinster's incredible victory against Toulouse in 06 and some hearth breaking moments for Munster. One consistent part of all the provinces wins, draws and losses has been foreign players who arrived in Ireland and have played a major role in the provinces fortunes. I have assembled the best team from all the foreign players who plied their trade in Ireland over the 12 years. It was a lot more difficult then I had first imagined.

Fullback: Shaun Payne



Winger: Doug Howlett



Outside Centre: Rua Tipoki




Inside Centre: Trevor Halstead














Winger: Isa Nacewa



Fly Halve: Felipe Contepomi



Scrum Halve: Ruan Pienaar



Number 8: Pedrie Wannenburg



Flanker: Jim Williams



Flanker: Rocky Elsom


Second Row: Nathan Hines



Second Row: John Langford



Tight Head: Bj Botha



Hooker: R Strauss



Loose Head: Stan Wright


Others:  David Howell, Paul Warick, Brad Thorn, Christian Cullen, Jean De Villiers, Justin Harrison, John Afoa, Wian Du Preez, Lifemi Mafi, Olly Le Roux, Jan Muller and Cj Van Der Linde.



Note: Team Picked on impact at province, lasting impact and overall performance. Reputation had no impact on selection.


When complying the list it is amazing to think of the quality players and we have seen down threw the years and their impact on Irish players. Would Sexton be the player he is today if not for Felipe ? John Langford changed what was acceptable and what was not acceptable in the Munster dressing room and Ruan Pienaar has revolutionised the way in which Ulster play. I would go as far to say that neither Munster or Leinster would have won Heineken cups to such an extent if not for the quality of their imports.Even Ulster in the past two seasons  have their strongest contingent of foreign players during the 2000 - 2012 period and have qualified for the Heineken Cup knock out phase on both occasions. If we take Wales as an example they have had nowhere near as many quality foreign players in the 2000 - 2012 period as Ireland  and have never had a team in the final of the Heineken Cup albeit their National team continues to stand toe to toe with Ireland. So are the foreign recruits covering over the gaping holes in the Irish provincial game or are they hindering the development of the national team? With rules changing regarding Non Irish Qualified players in 2013 we will soon find out.

Follow me at @Tommykennedy93 to discuss the selection and thanks.