Three members of the New Zealand team set to play in the World Cup final against France were on the six-man shortlist announced yesterday for the 2011 IRB player of the year award.

All Blacks flanker Jeroke Kaino, centre Ma’a Nonu and scrum-half Piri Weepu are among those bidding to succeed New Zealand captain Richie McCaw, winner for the past two years as well as in 2006, as player of the year.

Also on the shortlist is France captain Thierry Dusautoir, who will lead out Les Bleus in Sunday’s World Cup final at Eden Park.

The Australia duo of flanker David Pocock, who lost out to McCaw last year, and scrum-half Will Genia, both set to play in tomorrow’s bronze final against Wales, are the other two nominees.

Former Australia captain John Eales, a World Cup winner in 1991 and 1999, chaired an award panel made up of several ex-internationals including Springbok World Cup-winning skipper Francois Pienaar, France’s Raphael Ibanez, Scotland great Gavin Hastings and New Zealand’s Tana Umaga.

The player of the year will be the centrepiece of an awards ceremony that takes place in Auckland on Monday, the day after the final.

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