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Smith takes his final gong

Fri, 02 Jul 2010 16:33

Openside flank George Smith has completed his career with the Brumbies by claiming his ninth Brett Robinson Players Player Award at the Brumbies' annual presentations on Friday.

The 29-year-old, who will join French club Toulon this month, finished the season with 174 votes, ahead of wing Pat McCabe (151), flyhalf/inside centre Matt Giteau (130), prop Ben Alexander (127) and captain Stephen Hoiles (119).

The achievement of receiving his eighth consecutive Players Player gong was made all the more remarkable given he was sidelined for five matches during the season with nerve damage to his shoulder.

Prior to suffering the injury against the Blues in Week Six, Smith led the tally on 136 points before returning from his lay-off to poll another 38 in the Brumbies' final matches against the Highlanders and Crusaders.

The award, voted on a 3-2-1 basis after each match, is named after the foundation Brumbies captain Brett Robinson, who was present on Friday to hand over the award to the 100-Test Wallaby for a ninth occasion.

Smith's off-field contribution to the Brumbies was also recognised when he also received the Garry Quinlivan Service Award.

Smith, who was farewelled alongside fellow club stalwart Stirling Mortlock, completed his Brumbies career with 128 Super Rugby caps, eight shy of the competition record 136 caps held by former Brumbies teammate and scrumhalf George Gregan.

Brumbies head coach Andy Friend says Smith's two awards are an appropriate send-off for the legend of Australian rugby.

"I guess the silver lining of George moving on is that it will finally give someone else a chance to win this [Brett Robinson] award," he joked.

"George is a once in a generation player. His ability to come up with the big play time and time again is uncanny and he's been a key to the side's success over the past decade.

"The contribution he has made to this club has been phenomenal. On the field you know he'll always give you everything he's got. He's an incredibly smart, tough and consistent footballer which is once again recognised by this award. Off the field, he's a terrific family man; he'll do whatever is asked of him for the team, the organisation or the local community and this is recognised by receiving the Garry Quinlivan Award.

"Throughout his career George has been heaped with deserved praise and accolades, which, by this time in his career, leaves you with few new superlatives to describe how good a player he is. All I can say is that the Brumbies and rugby followers at every level are extremely grateful for the 11 years that he and his family have given this club and Australian rugby and I'd like to wish George, Louise and the kids all the best in France and with their exciting journey ahead."

In other awards, Pat McCabe's stellar debut season was recognised as he claimed both the Shawn Mackay Award for Most Outstanding Young Talent and the Brumbies Best Back.

The 22-year-old was one of nine players to play every match for the Brumbies but was the only player in the Super 14 to play every minute of every match for his side.

"It's not too often that you get a player who can make his debut and look like a seasoned campaigner in the same season – but that's exactly what Pat did this year," Friend said.

"He proved to us last year with the Brumby Runners and on our French tour that he was a player capable of making the step up but it was the manner in which he did that and the composure he showed this season that demonstrated he has a big future at this level.

"The thing about Pat is that he very rarely makes mistakes – he's safe under the high ball, he makes his tackles and he'll always challenge the defensive line with his powerful running. He's a 100-per-cent player and to be honest, there's not too much more you can ask of someone.

"As the most inexperienced starter in the backline, this is a tremendous achievement for Pat and if his form continues he'll be a member of that run-on side for some years to come."

In other awards, playmaker Christian Lealiifano was the inaugural recipient of the Community Player of the Year through his significant contribution to the local community over the past year, while Hoiles was recognised as the side's Best Forward.

"I think Steve's season this year was his best – and certainly most consistent – that I've seen at this level," Friend said. "He has an ability to lead the side well off the field and his performances this season again reinforced how capable he is leading them on the field.

"Being a mobile back row forward, his work rate around the field was outstanding as shown by topping our tackle count and forced turnovers.

"It was pleasing to see him be restored to the Wallabies squad this year. While it's unfortunate that an ankle injury looks set to keep him out of the Tri-Nations Series, a spot on that Spring Tour would be very deserved so he could add to his 16 Tests to date."

2010 Brumbies Award Winners:
Brett Robinson Player's Player Award – George Smith
Best Forward – Stephen Hoiles
Best Back – Pat McCabe
Shawn Mackay Award for Most Outstanding Young Talent – Pat McCabe
Garry Quinlivan Clubman Award – George Smith
Community Player Award – Christian Lealiifano
 
2010 Brett Robinson Player's Player Award Votes:
174 –   George Smith
151 –   Pat McCabe
130 –   Matt Giteau
127 –   Ben Alexander
119 –   Stephen Hoiles
113 –   Rocky Elsom
101 –  Salesi Ma'afu
 
Brett Robinson Player's Player Award – History
2010: George Smith
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
2010: Stephen Hoiles
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
2010: Pat McCabe
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
2010: George Smith
2009: Dr Warren McDonald
2008: Garry Quinlivan
 
Shawn Mackay Award for Outstanding Young Talent – History
2010: Pat McCabe
2009: Matt Toomua

Community Player Award – History
2010: Christian Lealiifano

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