World Rankings:Despite Ireland's most successful November international period, Eddie O'Sullivan's team have slipped back to fifth in the world rankings as the IRB do not recognise the Pacific Islanders and therefore did not award points for Sunday's 61-17 victory.
Australian and South African victories over Scotland and England saw the Southern Hemisphere nations move back behind New Zealand and France, meaning Ireland's sojourn as the third-best team on the planet lasted just seven days.
This contradicts the assertion by Pacific Islanders coach Pat Lam that Ireland are now the world's second best team. "It's a nice compliment from Pat but I don't know if it's true," responded O'Sullivan. "All I know is we've made good progress and I'm very happy. You can get wrapped up in that nonsense whereby you tell yourself how good you are. We need to focus on what we're about."
While the IRB rankings continue to baffle the public, the dominance of New Zealand was made abundantly clear at the governing body's annual awards. Richie McCaw was named player of the year by a panel that included Keith Wood, Jonathan Davies, Will Greenwood, Fabien Galthie and was chaired by double World Cup winner John Eales.
Paul O'Connell, Australia's Chris Latham, South African scrumhalf Fourie du Preez and last year's winner Dan Carter were also nominated but McCaw's staggeringly influential displays throughout the Tri-Nations and on tour made him the deserved winner.
New Zealand were also named team of the year and Graham Henry won coach of the year.
Stade Français outhalf Lionel Beauxis is the under-21 player of the year after some superb performances in France's world championship success, while Australia's Josh Holmes won the under-19 player award as recognition for the Wallabies success in the world championships in Dubai.
Meanwhile, Georgia will be Ireland's second opponents at next years World Cup after they beat Portugal over two legs to join France, Argentina and Namibia in Pool D. Namibia are first up at the Stade Chaban Delmas in Bordeaux on September 9th, followed by Georgia six days later at the same venue. France are next on September 21st at the Stade de France before what promises to be a do or die encounter with the Pumas nine days later at the Parc des Princes.
Finally, Eden Park in Auckland was confirmed yesterday as the venue for the 2011 World Cup final after the New Zealand government abandoned plans for a new waterfront stadium. Sports minister Trevor Mallard said North Harbour stadium would be the back-up option.
IRB International Awards: Player of the Year:Richie McCaw (New Zealand). Team of the Year:New Zealand. Coach of the Year:Graham Henry (New Zealand). U-19 Player of the Year:Josh Holmes (Australia). U-21 Player of the Year:Lionel Beauxis (France). Sevens Team of the Year:Fiji. Sevens Player of the Year:Uale Mai (Samoa). Spirit of Rugby Award:Polly Miller. Vernon Pugh Award for Distinguished Service:Brian Lochore. Referee Award for Distinguished Service:Peter Marshall. International Women's Personality of the Year:Margaret Alphonsi. Development Award:Mike Luke. Hall of Fame inductees:William Webb Ellis and Rugby School.
World Rankings
1 New Zealand 94.59pts
2 France 85.94
3 Australia 85.55
4 South Africa 84.71
5 IRELAND 84.68
6 Argentina 79.61
7 England 78.68
8 Wales 77.02
