Leading Welsh Rugby writer Andy Howell claims that Rieko Ioane or Israel Folau should have been named the World Rugby player of the year ahead of All Blacks flyhalf Beauden Barrett.
The Wales Online national news website selected four All Blacks ‑ Rieko Ioane, captain Kieran Read, lock Brodie Retallick and playmaker Beauden Barrett in their World 15s team for this year.
Veteran Welsh rugby writer Howell says Ioane is ranked among the best players in the world scoring a total of 11 tries in 13 tests for the All Blacks this year.
Howell says Ioane and Folau had stronger claims than Barrett for the World Rugby player of the year crown, which the Hurricanes star won in Monaco.
The Wales Online 2017 World Team of the Year
15‑Israel Folau (Australia), 14‑Anthony Watson (England), 13‑Jonathan Davies (Wales), 12‑Owen Farrell (England), 11‑Rieko Ioane (New Zealand), 10‑Beauden Barrett (New Zealand), 9‑Conor Murray (Ireland), 8‑Kieran Read (New Zealand), 7‑Sean O'Brien (Ireland), 6‑Sam Warburton (Wales), 5‑Maro Itoje (England), 4‑Brodie Retallick (New Zealand), 3‑Tadhg Furlong (Ireland), 2‑Malcom Marx (South Africa), 1‑Mako Vunipola (England).
