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New Zealand captain Richie McCaw is in contention to win the IRB Player of the Year award for a 4th time after being included in a four-man shortlist for the 2012 prize.
All Blacks flyhalf Dan Carter also made the cut along with two surprising entries - back-up England No. 10 Owen Farrell and another flyhalf, the rejuvenated Frederic Michalak of France.
The IRB highlighted Argentina captain Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe, New Zealand No. 8 Kieran Read and South Africa winger Bryan Habana among players who were unlucky to miss out on the shortlist.
The winner will be announced on the 3rd of December along with IRB Coach of the Year and IRB Team of the Year.
