Rugby: NZ pair up for IRB award

Two members of the victorious New Zealand under-20 rugby team at this year's junior world championship have made the shortlist for the International Rugby Board's junior player of the year award.

Captain Luke Whitelock and flanker Sam Cane, who were instrumental in the Baby Blacks claiming their fourth successive world junior title in Italy last month, have been nominated along with England first five-eighth George Ford for the award.

New Zealand beat England 33-22 in the final in Padova on June 26.

The shortlist is the result of votes cast by team head coaches and match officials, as well as international and local media at the tournament.

"These three players excelled in Italy and they reflect the exciting talent that was on show in a tournament which continues to go from strength to strength," said IRB chairman Bernard Lapasset.

The last four winners of the award have been New Zealanders; Robert Fruean (2007), Luke Braid (2008), Aaron Cruden (2009) and Julian Savea (2010).

The winner will be announced in Auckland on October 24.

- NZPA