I think there will be a NH nominee. Don't know who, and he's sure not to win it, but nomination rules have been extremely sketchy so even if it takes nominating 10 players, they'll do it. So I think the fun part would be to predict the three or four likely winners, plus the token NH nominee.
For me, the winner should be Ben Smith or Pocock. Both outstanding players, who've had enormous influence this year, and both also having big moments.
On Pocock, I think a lot of what he does goes unnoticed. He slows down every frecking opposition ruck and gets load of turnovers, sure, but he carries a lot in attack and I dare say he's the best Australian ball carrier. Better than Palu, surely better than McCalman, and imo better than Fardy (who is a close second).
Other nominees: for the AB Carter, Nonu, Conrad or Aaron Smith (Conrad has had an average year but he's never been nominated!)
Some Argentine. Probably Creevy, could be JMFL as a "career award", could also be Ayerza.
Possible surprise nominee: Scott Sio. Maybe the player who's had the biggest impact for Australia, after Pocock.
I predict no Saffer will get nominated: last in TRC, lost a pool game, hardly beat Wales.
Token NH: Greg Laidlaw, AW Jones or Paul O'Connell.
