STAR Wallabies back-rower David Pocock has been snubbed as one of World Rugby’s five candidates for Player of the Year.

The John Eales Medallist, who won at a canter over his teammates as the best Wallaby of 2018, enjoyed an excellent return to the international fold after taking a year out from Australian rugby in 2017.

Instead, All Blacks duo Beauden Barrett and Rieko Ioane, Springboks pair Faf de Klerk and Malcolm Marx and Ireland’s Johnny Sexton were nominated.

Barrett has taken out the award the past two years.

All Blacks greats Richie McCaw and Dan Carter are the only players to have won the award three times, but neither of them achieved a three-peat.

World Rugby will announce the winner following the November Tests in Monte Carlo.

A star-studded panel selected the contenders.

It comprised World Cup winners Richie McCaw, John Smit, George Gregan, Maggie Alphonsi and former England coach Clive Woodward, with Brian O’Driscoll, Fabien Galthié, Agustín Pichot completing the panel.

Here is a snapshot of their years.

Beauden Barrett — New Zealand
New Zealand’s first-five entered the Bledisloe Cup campaign with a question mark hanging over his name, after Richie Mo’unga led the Crusaders to their second straight Super Rugby title.

He quickly ended that debate.

Barrett scored once in Sydney and then crossed four times a week later in Auckland to ensure the Bledisloe Cup remained across the ditch for a 16th consecutive year.

However, his Rugby Championship campaign did peter out and he struggled somewhat in the Tests against the Springboks.

Rieko Ioane — New Zealand
Ioane remains the premier winger in the world.

But after taking out the Breakthrough Player of the Year in 2017, Ioane hasn’t quite been as electric in 2018.

He remains a tryscoring machine, having crossed for 11 tries in eight starts, but many of those he’s simply had to finish rather than go hunting for the ball like he did a year ago.

Malcolm Marx — South Africa
South Africa’s hooker is perhaps the most surprising candidate of the five.

He missed the 2-1 series victory against England in June because of injury and had a slow start to the Rugby Championship.

But he was influential in the Springboks’ remarkable victory over the All Blacks in Wellington in September.

Faf de Klerk — South Africa
There is no doubt that de Klerk is world rugby’s most improved international.

Up until 2018, de Klerk had been in and out of the Springboks.

But after a stellar debut season in the English Premiership for Sale, de Klerk finally brought the same pace, delivery and astuteness to the Test game.

He was hugely influential in helping his nation win the home series against England, scoring the Springboks’ opening try in their massive come from behind victory in the first Test.

De Klerk was also brilliant in their victory over the All Blacks in September.

Ireland’s playmaker must be the favourite for the World Rugby Player of the Year.

Had it not been for Sexton’s field goal in stoppage time against France from long range in the Six Nations opener, Ireland’s grand slam would have been over from the outset.

He was superb throughout the tournament, guiding them to a St Patrick’s victory over England at Twickenham.

Sexton also pulled the strings down under, leading Ireland to a series victory over the Wallabies.

Previous World Rugby Men’s 15s Player of the Year Award winners:
2017 – Beauden Barrett (New Zealand)

2016 – Beauden Barrett (New Zealand)

2015 – Dan Carter (New Zealand)

2014 – Brodie Retallick (New Zealand)

2013 – Kieran Read (New Zealand)

2012 – Dan Carter (New Zealand)

2011 – Thierry Dusautoir (France)

2010 – Richie McCaw (New Zealand)

2009 – Richie McCaw (New Zealand)

2008 – Shane Williams (Wales)

2007 – Bryan Habana (South Africa)

2006 – Richie McCaw (New Zealand)

2005 – Dan Carter (New Zealand)

2004 – Schalk Burger (South Africa)

2003 – Jonny Wilkinson (England)

2002 – Fabien Galthié (France)

2001 – Keith Wood (Ireland)