By George, Smith wins eighth award
Sun, 05 Jul 2009 12:35
Brumbies and Wallaby openside flank George Smith has won his eighth Brett Robinson Players Player Award at the Brumbies' annual presentation night held in Canberra at the weekend.
The 28-year-old finished the season with 204 votes, ahead of fullback Mark Gerrard (183), prop Ben Alexander (176) and flyhalf Christian Lealiifano (119) to claim the award for the seventh consecutive year.
The award, voted on a 3-2-1 system after each match, is further recognition of a stellar provincial season after Smith was presented with his fourth successive Australian Super 14 Player of the Year Award in May.
Smith captained the Brumbies in four matches during 2009 and played all but 10 minutes of the Brumbies' Super 14 season, receiving a yellow card in his side's 40-27 win over the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein.
Smith has played 119 of the Brumbies' last 120 matches, including the last 53 consecutively.
Brumbies Head Coach Andy Friend says Smith's consistency is unmatched by any player in the Super 14.
"Every coach would love to have a George Smith in their side," he said.
"He's a player that continually exceeds the expectations placed upon him at any level – whether it be playing club rugby, with the Brumbies or at Test level for the Wallabies.
"He's without doubt the best ball thief in world rugby but throughout the years he's developed all aspects of his game and he is truly the complete rugby player.
"George is a player who always leads by his actions, and his hard-at-the-ball approach makes his record of consecutive matches and his durability all the more incredible.
"To win this award on eight occasions is an outstanding feat in itself, but when you look at his teammates over that time and the competition he's had for this award, it puts into perspective what an exceptional player he is.
"There's no one more deserving for this award than George. He's without question one of the greatest players the Brumbies and Australian rugby have ever produced and we're very pleased to have him as part of the side for another two years."
The evening also featured a tribute to Brumbies lock Shawn Mackay, who passed away in April after being struck by a car during the side's South African leg in March. Mackay's parents, John and Leonie, were on hand to present the inaugural Shawn Mackay Award for Most Outstanding Young Talent to Brumbies flyhalf and Australian Under 20's representative Matt Toomua.
Dr Warren McDonald was presented with the Garry Quinlivan Service Award after nine years as Brumbies Team Doctor. The award also recognised McDonald's contribution to the Brumbies and, in particular, Mackay's family and partner Trish while they were in South Africa.
In the evening's other awards prop Ben Alexander was named Best Forward while Mark Gerrard was recognised as Best Back for a second successive season.
Friend said Gerrard was outstanding during his seventh year with the Brumbies.
"I believe that Mark's season this year was one of the best of his career," he said. "He ran the ball with conviction and he continued to build on what, I believe, is already the best general kicking game in the Super 14.
"He showed great composure – which was shown in his last minute try to beat the Crusaders – and there's no question he was missed [through injury] in the back end of the season.
"We're sorry to see Mark head to Japan after so many years with the Brumbies but he's still got a lot of world-class rugby ahead of him and it'd be great to see back in Brumbies colours again in the future."
Friend said Alexander will continue to be a cornerstone for the Brumbies scrum for a number of years.
"Ben's a very dynamic front row forward who continues to rise to any challenge at provincial or Test level," he said. "After returning from the high of a Spring Tour, he started on the bench through the early stages of the season. But, to his credit, he continued working on his game and his fitness and by end of the season he had played more minutes than any other prop in the competition and was an integral member of our pack.
"Ben's got a world-class scrummaging game, he's smart with his running lines and a very difficult man to bring down, and he's shown that he also knows how to find his way to the try line.
"It's hard to believe Ben's still only 24, and I believe that his best football is still to come."
2009 Brumbies award winners:
Brett Robinson Player's Player Award – George Smith
Best Forward – Ben Alexander
Best Back – Mark Gerrard
Shawn Mackay Award for Most Outstanding Young Talent – Matt Toomua
Garry Quinlivan Clubman Award – Dr Warren McDonald
2009 Brett Robinson Player's Player Award Votes
204 –
George Smith
183 – Mark Gerrard
176 – Ben Alexander
119 – Christian Lealiifano
112 – Stephen Moore
102 – Mitchell Chapman
Brett Robinson Player's Player Award – History
2009 - George Smith
2008 - George Smith
2007 - George Smith
2006 - George Smith
2005 - George Smith
2004 - George Smith
2003 - George Smith
2002 - Stirling Mortlock
2001 - George Smith
2000 - Jim Williams
Best Forward Award – History
2009 - Ben Alexander
2008 - Nic Henderson
2007 - Mark Chisholm
2006 - George Smith
2005 - Scott Fava
2004 - Scott Fava
2003 - Dan Vickerman
2002 - Bill Young
2001 - Jeremy Paul
2000 - Patricio Noriega
Best Back Award – History
2009 - Mark Gerrard
2008 - Mark Gerrard
2007 -
Adam Ashley-Cooper
2006 - Stirling Mortlock
2005 - Stirling Mortlock
2004 - Stirling Mortlock
2003 - Matt Giteau
2002 - Stephen Larkham
2001 - George Gregan
2000 - Stirling Mortlock
Garry Quinlivan Service Award – History
2009 - Dr Warren McDonald
2008 - Garry Quinlivan
Shawn Mackay Award for Outstanding Young Talent – History
2009 - Matt Toomua
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