First up, the serious awards:

Player of the Month: Jerry Collins. It could have been Richie McCaw, but he already has the IRB gong, and Dan Carter gets most of the others. So a big hand for the softly-spoken Islander whose huge hits yielded so much momentum for his team all series.

Team of the month: A noble mention to Ireland. We go on and on about the All Blacks, but the carnage they left behind them was almost predictable. Not so predictable was the way in which Ireland produced 40 minutes of intensity not seen since the All Blacks blew France away two years ago to snuff out Australia's challenge in Dublin. Finally a candidate to push the All Blacks in next year's World Cup. Unfortunately, the draw has ensured that it may happen in the quarter-finals rather than the final...

Tries of the month: (In reverse order)

3) Matthew Rees (Wales against Canada): James Hook switched with Gareth Thomas, who switched with Dwayne Peel, who accelerated, drew the defender and then sent the hooker on his scoring charge.

2) Sitiveni Sivivatu (New Zealand against Wales): A midfield turnover, out to Carter, out to Smith, whose check of pace drew in three defenders before a deft inside switch to Sivivatu on the burst took him past them all.

1) Joe Rokocoko (New Zealand against France): As described by our reporter: "Leon MacDonald, who had had a miserable first half, dropping two easy passes as well as the early high ball, made amends by searing past Fritz. So'oialo and McCaw did the link work and drew in the defenders, and then wide it went to Sivivatu, Carter, and finally to Joe Rokocoko, who got past Rougerie at the second time of asking for another classy All Black score. Fifty metres and six passes of champagne in crystal glasses."

And now for the lighter side...

The 'Bonus Air Miles' award - Francois Steyn for the monster drop-goal against England from just short of the halfway line.
 
The 'Kudos to the Big Guy' award for athletic propping - A joint award this one, firstly to Tony Woodcock for supporting Rico Gear on a 50m break at Twickenham, and second to South Africa prop CJ van der Linde on his own tryline relieving the pressure for his team in Dublin and then popping up in the centres for a try against England.
 
The 'Unusual Party Trick' award - All Black lock Ali Williams takes the ball in his own 22, with only tumbleweed in support and three Welshmen bearing down upon him with intent, and promptly sends a huge torpedo kick into touch just past the half-way line that would have many full-backs gawping in admiration.
 
The 'David beats Goliath at His Own Game' award - The entire Italian pack get to take this gong home after annihilating the Wallaby scrum several times in Rome.
 
The 'Italian Soccer Star' award for histrionic over-reaction - Goes to Mat Rogers for running across from one side of the field to the other to 'adjudicate' between team-mate Phil Waugh and Ireland's Denis Leamy. We ought to include an Italian though, and Gonzalo Canale's slump to the floor after an encounter with Brendan Cannon's fingertips was pure Totti.
 
The 'Forrest Gump Pitch-running' award - Another joint one to a pair of players hardly renowned for supersonic pace. Firstly, Federico Todeschini after racing the entire length of the field after intercepting a pass from England's Toby Flood. The England's Shaun Perry doing the same against the All Blacks, even developing a touching case of cramp at the end as he did so.
 
The 'Vertigo' award - Argentina, for their dizzy new heights in the IRB rankings.
 
The 'When in Rome' award - Goes to the All Blacks squad, after packing their coveted black kit away for one day to stroll around in specially made pink shirts of Stade Français when they were hosted by leading French club - and flamboyant President Max Guazzini - at their La Faisanderie training ground.

The 'Ketchup' award - Given to Rob Andrew for something to go with his eaten words, after claiming it didn't matter if England lost all four games this November. Three losses and a token victory later, and it matters to some - not least, we imagine, Andy Robinson.
 
The 'Mr. Forgetful' award - Rupeni Caucaunibuca, already famed for his off-field disarray as much as dazzling speed, for failing to show for the Pacific Islanders game against Wales. Why? He had lost his passport, barely a fortnight after touching down in Europe.
 
The 'Toreador' award for waving a red rag at a bull - The WRU for messing around with the All Black Haka. As if the Welsh didn't face a big enough task anyway, without giving the ABs any more motivation.
 
The 'Gaga' award - John Connolly, claiming he has a squad capable of beating the All Blacks at next years World Cup. This comes from a man whose team only just scraped past Italy.
 
The 'Dark Horse' award - Ireland showed conclusively they are the only side who look capable of stopping the All Blacks. A shame we didn't get to see them doing battle, but then there is always the World Cup final....
 
The 'Papal Curse' award - Joe Worsley publicly praying after England managed a win against South Africa in the first test, but it was not God he thanked for the win....
 
The 'Jekyll and Hyde' award - In the first test Josh Lewsey offered a master class in defence including that hit on Jean De Villiers. In the second test he was the proverbial rabbit in headlights as big CJ van der Linde steam-rolled him on his way to the line.
 
The 'Jobsworth' award for merely doing what you are told - The French team were told to kick for territory and maul against the All Blacks. They were still doing so in the eightieth minute of a 3-47 home defeat in Lyon.

The Beckham award for metrosexual sporting achievement - Alan Lewis. The famously dapper ref requested a towel when he lost his boot whilst officiating the second Test between England and South Africa. Why? Well, he needed to sit down to tie his laces and was loathed to allow his bottom to make acquaintance with the soggy tuff. Come on, Alan - there are impressionable children watching!

The 'Golden Microphone' award for soundbite of the month - Zola Yeye (Bok Team Manager) "As the old adage goes, this was one small step for man, one giant leap for the Springboks." First class drivel from the man brought in to help the Bok coaching team communicate.

The 'Braveheart' awards for standing in the face of adversity - Another joint one: Andy Robinson and Jake White, fighting to the last as their teams plumb the depths...but one may yet emerge triumphant over his adversity.

The 'Oliver Twist' award - Argentina, one point away from beating the 6N champions and accounting for England at Twickenham, yet still no international tournament. Please IRB Sir, could we see some more?

The 'Conspiracy Theory' award - Goes to Jake White. Butch James troops off having just nailed a penalty goal to put the Boks well ahead of England. On comes Andre Pretorius who plays like a lemon. Asked why James came off, Jake White claims a knee injury to James... but it was an impressive penalty kick for an injured player... something not quite right there.

Can you think of any more? Let us have 'em!