Italy captain Sergio Parisse has become the first Italian rugby player to be nominated as world player of the year.
''It's a great honour for me and recognition for the work we did this year,'' said the back-row forward who took over the Italian captaincy after last year's World Cup where Italy narrowly failed to make the quarter-finals for the first time ever.
''It's another sign of the growth of rugby in Italy and shows that our development is progressing at an international level. I want to share my nomination with all the side,'' said the No.8, who staked his claim to the captaincy during the 2007 Six Nations where Italy won two matches for the first time.
Parisse is up against New Zealand fly-half Dan Carter, Wales Grand Slam pair Shane Williams and Ryan Jones, and Scotland scrum half Mike Blair.
The successor to South African winger Bryan Habana will be announced by the International Rugby Board at the IRB Awards in London on November 23.
All Blacks star Carter, who has just helped his country to its ninth Tri-Nations trophy, would be the first player to win twice having already claimed the laurel in 2005.
Since 2001 award-winners have included Ireland hooker Keith Woods, France scrum half Fabien Galthie', England fly half Jonny Wilkinson and the Springbok and All Black back-row forwards Schalke Burger and Richie McCaw.
''The list of past winners of this coveted award reads like a who's who of the international game in recent years,'' said International Rugby Board Chairman Bernard Lapasset.
A jury consisting of Tana Umaga, Raphael Ibanez, Will Greenwood, Francois Pienaar, Agustin Pichot, Gavin Hastings, Scott Quinnell, Paul Wallace and convenor John Eales watched over 47 hours of action from 35 matches, awarding points to the three players they thought stood out in each match.
