New Zealand captain Richie McCaw became the first person to receive a second International Rugby Board Player of the Year award Saturday. In the closest vote since the award began in 2001, McCaw added to his 2006 honor. He was shortlisted with Ireland's Jamie Heaslip and Brian O'Driscoll, South Africa's Fourie du Preez and Francois Steyn, Australia's Matt Giteau and England's Tom Croft. The All Blacks lost their four-year hold on the Tri-Nations title this year, but they finished the year with five straight tour wins against Australia, Wales, Italy, England and France and reclaimed the No. 1 ranking. It's the third time in five years an All Black has earned player of the year. Earlier in Dublin, South Africa was named Team of the Year and its coach Declan Kidney was picked as Coach of the Year.
