KEY POINTS:
Last year's International Rugby Board player of the year Dan Carter was among the five candidates for the 2006 award when the shortlist was unveiled at the launch of the IRB World Rugby Yearbook overnight (NZ time).
The first five-eighths, who scored 26 points in his side's record 41-20 victory over England at Twickenham on Sunday, is joined by All Blacks captain Richie McCaw, Australia fullback Chris Latham, Ireland lock Paul O'Connell and South Africa halfback Fourie du Preez.
"The IRB Player of the Year award is the ultimate accolade for a player to receive and rewards the highest achiever in the game over the past 12 months," said IRB chairman Syd Millar.
The award takes into account the test calendar from January to the end of November 2006 and includes the Six Nations championship, Tri-Nations and June Tests.
The nominees were selected by a panel made up of former internationals with 503 caps between them -- Francois Pienaar, Michael Jones, Fabien Galthie, Keith Wood, Gavin Hastings, Jonathan Davies, Dan Lyle and Federico Mendez and convener John Eales.
The Awards panel also vote on the IRB Coach and Team of the Year during the same period.
The winners will be announced at the IRB awards night in Glasgow on November 26.
- REUTERS
