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England star Maro Itoje has been crowned the world’s best lock after defeating Springboks second rower Eben Etzebeth in a fan-voted poll on social media.
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The 25-year-old British and Irish Lions representative received nearly 58 percent of the vote from fans on RugbyPass‘ Facebook and Instagram accounts as part of the Straight 8 Fan Vote campaign to determine the best player on the planet in each position.
Itoje and Etzebeth were left as the last players standing going into the third and final round of voting after both players emerged unscathed from the quarter-final and semi-final stages of voting.
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After having dominated Etzebeth’s international teammate RG Snyman in the first round with 73 percent of the votes, Itoje backed that up with the same winning margin over Irish star James Ryan in the semi-final.
It wasn’t such smooth sailing for Etzebeth, who claimed 58 percent of the votes in his quarter-final match-up with Wales skipper Alun Wyn Jones, before controversially seeing off All Blacks powerhouse Brodie Retallick with only 50.5 percent of fans’ backing.
Etzebeth’s shrinking winning margin eventually cost him in the final, though, as Itoje’s glittering career to date proved to be too much to turn down.
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With two Six Nations, two Grand Slams, four Premierships, three European Champions Cups, 38 England tests, three British and Irish Lions tests and a World Rugby breakthrough player of the year accolade on his CV, it comes as little surprise to see the Saracens star claim top honours.
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However, there is consolation for new Toulon recruit Etzebeth – who can boast a World Cup winners’ medal that Itoje hasn’t yet won – in that his qualification into the final round hands him a place in the RugbyPass Straight 8 Fan Vote World XV.
Both his and Itoje’s teammates will be determined over the coming weeks as the polls are counted for each position.
The Straight 8 Fan Vote will continue over the coming days as fans worldwide vote for who they think is the best flanker on the planet.
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Voting for the first round has already begun on RugbyPass‘ Facebook and Instagram stories, with reigning New Zealand Rugby player of the year Ardie Savea pitted against Wales and British and Irish Lions veteran Justin Tipuric.
Elsewhere, promising England youngster Sam Underhill faces off against World Cup-winning Springboks captain Siya Kolisi, while exciting English prospect Tom Curry is up against experienced Wallabies skipper Michael Hooper.
The final first round clash is between current World Rugby player of the year Pieter-Steph du Toit and towering French loose forward Charles Ollivon.
To have your say, click the stories on either the RugbyPass Facebook page (here) or the RugbyPass Instagram page (here).
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Comments on RugbyPass
Pretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
3 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
3 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
3 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to commentsProctor Definitely inform again this year had a hell of a season last year and this year is looking even better. Still mixed feelings about Ioane tho.
4 Go to commentsDagg is still trying to get enough headlines to make himself relevant enough to get a job. The Crusaders went back to square one at all levels. Shelve this season and nail the next one.
6 Go to commentsHe was in such great form. Sad for him but only a short term injury and it will be great to see him back for the finals.
1 Go to commentsAfter their 5/0 start, I had the Crusaders to finish Top 4 only…they lost the plot in Perth but will reload and back themselves vs 4th placed Rebels…
5 Go to commentsBoth nations missed a great opportunity to book a game that would have had a lot of interest from around the world. I understand these games can’t be organised in 5 minutes but they should have found a way to make it happen. I don’t think Wales are ducking anyone but it’s a bad look haha.
3 Go to commentsIt will be fascinating to see the effect that Jo Yapp has. If they can compete with Canada and give BFs a run for their money that will be progress
1 Go to commentsFollowing his dream and putting in the work. Go well young fella!
3 Go to commentsPerhaps filling Twickenham is one of Mitchell’s KPIs. I doubt whether both September matches will be at Twickenham on consecutive weekends. I would take the BF one to a large provincial stadium so as not to give them the advantage and experience of playing at Twickenham before a large crowd prior to the RWC.
3 Go to commentsvery unfortunate for Kitshoff, but big opportunity potentially for Nché to prove he is genuinely the best loosehead in the world, rather than just a specialist finisher. Presuming that if Kitshoff is out, it will also give Steenekamp a chance to come into the 23? Or are others likely to be ahead of him?
1 Go to commentsA long held question in popular culture asks if art imitates life or does the latter influence the former? Over this 6 nations I can ask the same question of the media influencing the thoughts of its audience or vice versa. Nobody wants to see cricket scores in rugby, as a spectacle it is not sustainable. With so many articles about England’s procession and lack of competition it feeds the epicaricacy of many looking for an opportunity to pounce. England are not the first team to dominate nor does it happen only in rugby, think Federer, Nadal, Red Bull or Mercedes, Manchester Utd, Australia in tests and World Cups. Instead of celebrating the achievements why find reasons to falsify it pointing towards larger playing pool, professional for a longer period or mitigate with the lack of growth in other nations. Can we not enjoy it while it is here and know that it won’t last for ever, others coveting what England have will soon take the crown, ask the aforementioned?
6 Go to commentsShame he won’t turn out for the Netherlands now they’re improving. U20s are Euro champs and in the U20 Trophy this year. The senior sides gets better every year too.
3 Go to commentsWill rugbypass tv be showing these games?
1 Go to commentsWell where do you start, the fact that England have a professional domestic league and Ireland’s is fully amatuer, that they have fully seperated professional squads at Fifteens and Sevens (7’s thinly disguised as GB), and Ireland have fully pro Sevens squad who loan some players back to the Semi-Professional Fifteens squad (moved from amateur for only a year or so) for a few games at 6N & RWC’s. The Women’s games is a shambles, and is at risk of killing itself by pushing for professionalism when the market isn’t really there to support it outside one or two countnries..
6 Go to commentsWayne Smith's input didn't have as much impact on the last final as Davison's red card for Thompson. England were 14 points up and flying when that happened.
6 Go to comments