Six-man shortlist for IRB Player of the Year

The International Rugby Board has announced the shortlist of nominees for the IRB Player of the Year 2011 award.

Four of the nominees will feature in this Sunday's World Cup final, with France captain Thierry Dusautoir joined by the New Zealand trio of scrum-half Piri Weepu, flanker Jerome Kaino and centre Ma'a Nonu.

The other two players are Australian duo flanker David Pocock and scrum-half Will Genia.

"The IRB Player of the Year award is the ultimate accolade for a player to receive in his career," said IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset. "It takes on added significance in a Rugby World Cup year and takes into account player performances in all major internationals, including matches in the RBS Six Nations and Tri-Nations."

New Zealand's Richie McCaw won the award in 2009 and 2010.