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Search forShane backed to land world award
Friday, November 21, 2008, 17:30
Kirwan believes the Welsh wing wizard would be a worthy winner of the International Rugby Board's prestigious award.
Williams features on a short-list of five alongside Ryan Jones, New Zealand fly-half Dan Carter, Scotland skipper Mike Blair and Italy's Sergio Parisse.
The seven previous recipients include Carter, Jonny Wilkinson, Richie McCaw and Bryan Habana — and Kirwan has no doubt Williams deserves to join that elite group.
Kirwan scored 35 tries in 63 Tests for New Zealand, including arguably the World Cup's greatest solo touchdown against Italy in Auckland 21 years ago, and fully appreciates Williams's dazzling ability to unlock defences.
The Osprey is a firm favourite to collect the IRB award in London tomorrow night.
He scored six tries during last season's RBS 6 Nations Championship, when Wales landed their second title and Grand Slam in four seasons.
He overtook Gareth Thomas as Wales's leading try-scorer and added a try in both summer Tests against South Africa.
"I would hate to mark him," Kirwan said.
"He has great acceleration, he feints with his head one way and then moves another, and he has got out-and-out speed.
"He has also developed a kicking game, so if the opposition are being too confrontational. he can just put it in behind them.
"That slows the defender up, and he thinks: 'What is he going to do now, the magician?'
"I used to hate playing against guys like him, guys like David Campese. He was so difficult to get a hand on.
"Shane is rightly short-listed for world player of the year. He may well win it — and dead right too."
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