George Smith capped a remarkable Super Rugby season by winning the Brumbies’ top award for a 10th time on Saturday night.
The 33-year-old collected the Brett Robinson Player’s Player honour at a presentation night in Canberra a week after the Brumbies lost the final to the Chiefs.
Amazingly, Smith won the plaudit despite missing five games and after only rejoining the franchise from Japanese club Suntory Sungoliath in February.
And it came in a season when he also became the club’s most-capped player with 142 appearances and won a recall to the Wallabies team for the Test series against the British and Irish Lions.
Earlier in the week, Smith was beaten by just four votes to be crowned Australia’s best Super Rugby player this season with Waratahs flanker Michael Hooper claiming the award.
Skipper Ben Mowen was named the Brumbies’ best forward and fellow Wallabies newcomer Christian Lealiifano was recognised as the best back for the second straight year.
Centre Tevita Kuridrani won the Shawn Mackay Award for best new talent.
Die hard
Roar Rookie
Whats wrong ABOT? Can you not appreciate style and quality. Are you only interested if you opposition is not at full strength. Can we not be gracious? I am glad Australia does not select players domiciled overseas, because it strengthens the Wallabies domestic game and makes good opposition.
tk rugby
Guest
Absolute legend - gets the farewell he deserves. Disappointed how he was allowed to slip away in 2009 with everyone talking about Pocock (who is good) but seeming to forget how good Smith has been and how much he had contributed. 2013 has allowed George Smith to get the farewell a true champion deserves! malo e ngaue!
Jerry
Guest
Damn it, I was hoping for at least one bite. Ah well .
Leroy14
Guest
Shame to see him go again. But Lucky to have him back for a while. Thx George. -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
Charlie Drayton
Roar Guru
He's a class act, shame he can't help out the Wallabies in the Bledisloe series.
Mark Richmond
Roar Guru
It was a fantastic night to be sure, Joe Roff said during the presentation of George's award, that he came back to play for virtually nothing, he's a legend. Great to see Ben Mowen and Tevita Kuridrani rewarded too, as well as Jesse Mogg for his work in the community.
Kebab
Guest
Absolute legend. I wish he was rushed back into the wallabies as our back row will get demolished by the ABs
All Blacks On Top
Guest
Love it.. yeah,, that's right..George Smith is very disloyal, in fact he must be one of the most disloyal blokes in rugby!
Jerry
Guest
Nah, McCaw is loyal and won't take the big bucks for easy rugby.
Hopperdoggy
Guest
Tee hee. Lovin Bennie Lucas' official profile pic. Spitting image.
Jerry
Guest
I'd imagine there'd be plenty. Hakeem Olajuwon, Lebron James, Michael Jordan etc. Some sports are more predisposed to reward the individual though (eg Basketball, Baseball both are very statistically transparent).
Justin3
Guest
Freak, dare I say it a true national treasure...
jeznez
Roar Guru
Legend.
ScrumJunkie
Guest
Hilarious. Not savvy enough to post a comment.
Brett McKay
Expert
It's just a remarkable effort to maintain such a high standard for so long. The Brumbies have been around 18 seasons as a club, and Smith has won this award more than half the number of times it's been on offer. As impressive as that is, then you factor in that Smith's "only" been around for 12 of those 18 seasons, to get the truly mind-blowing strike rate of 10 wins from 12 attempts. I'm honestly struggling to think of another professional sportsperson capable of going close to matching the feat..
ScrumJunkie
Guest
For sure, I'd have him in the top two. Though I am biased as a forward, and brumby supporter.
Frank O'Keeffe
Guest
Is George Smith one of the 10 greatest Wallabies ever?
Tembavj
Guest
Maybe McCaw can join him
The Rolling Maul
Guest
Congrats to George Smith and all that but anyone can win an award for playing well. It takes something truly outstanding to be noticed for contributing nothing to your team be it through injury, suspension or just general hopelessness. That's why I've put together an alternate Australian Super Rugby Team of the Year at http://therollingmaul.blogspot.com.au.
All Blacks On Top
Guest
Congratulations to George Smith. what a fantastic player. It is now time for George Smith to take his boarding pass to Japan and p*** off. I am glad Australia has the same rules as us for players domiciled overseas, because it holds the Wallabies back from being a real threat!