Wallabies and NSW Waratahs flanker Michael Hooper has won Australia’s Super Rugby player of the year award.
The awards on Thursday provided some consolation for the Waratahs – who missed the finals after finishing behind the Brumbies and Queensland Reds – as their fullback Israel Folau crowned a spectacular debut season in the code with the rookie of the year award.
Brumbies coach Jake White was named coach of the year after taking his team to the final.
Hooper was a clear winner of the major gong, attracting 21 votes, four more than his two nearest challengers – veteran Brumbies flanker George Smith and Reds halfback Will Genia.
Wallabies utility back James O’Connor finished fourth before being cut by the Melbourne Rebels, with Folau fifth in the overall count.
Hooper is the first Waratah to claim the coveted award since former NSW captain and fellow openside flanker Phil Waugh in 2001.
The 21-year-old, who joined the Waratahs from the Brumbies at the start of 2013, polled votes in nine rounds of the competition, including four man-of-the-match performances.
Trailing Smith into the final rounds of the season, Hooper polled maximum points against the Brumbies in round 14 to pull one point behind before overtaking his back-row rival with another man-of-the-match display against the Crusaders in round 16.
Hooper secured the title his with a two-point performance in the final round of the season against the Reds.
The comeback fairytale of the season, Smith was runner-up after delivering five man-of-the-match performances for the Brumbies.
Folau was a revelation in his first season of Super Rugby, after switching codes for a second time after two years in the AFL and a hugely successful rugby league career.
The 24-year-old polled votes in six matches, including three man-of-the-match performances, was also NSW’s leading tryscorer and became a dual international with Wallabies selection for the series against the British and Irish Lions.
White is a worthy coach of the year after transforming the Brumbies from competition also-rans to title contenders in the space of two seasons.
Queensland winger Rod Davies was awarded the try of the year on behalf of the Reds after finishing off an incredible length-of-the-field effort in their round 10 match against the Sharks at Suncorp Stadium.
Experienced international Steve Walsh won his second Australian Super Rugby referee of the year award.
Player of the Year Recipients |
Coach and Team of the Year Recipients |
Rookie of the Year Recipients |
Referee of the Year Recipients |
2013 – Michael Hooper
2012 – Will Genia 2011 – Will Genia 2010 – Quade Cooper 2009 – George Smith 2008 – George Smith 2007 – George Smith 2006 – George Smith 2005 – Chris Latham 2004 – Chris Latham 2003 – Joe Roff & Chris Latham 2002 – Stirling Mortlock 2001 – Phil Waugh 2000 – Chris Latham 1999 – Joe Roff 1998 – Stephen Larkham & John Eales |
2013 – Jake White (Brumbies)
2012 – Ewen McKenzie (Reds) 2011 – Ewen McKenzie (Reds) 2010 – Chris Hickey (Waratahs) 2009 – Chris Hickey (Waratahs) 2008 – Ewen McKenzie (Waratahs) 2007 – Laurie Fisher (Brumbies) 2006 – Ewen McKenzie (Waratahs) 2005 – Ewen McKenzie (Waratahs) 2004 – David Nucifora (Brumbies) 2003 – David Nucifora (Brumbies) 2002 – David Nucifora (Brumbies) 2001 – Eddie Jones (Brumbies) 2000 – Eddie Jones (Brumbies) 1999 – John Connolly (Reds) 1998 – John Connolly (Reds)
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2013 – Israel Folau
2012 – Joseph Tomane 2011 – Nick Phipps 2010 – Pat McCabe 2009 – Laurie Weeks 2008 – Tyrone Smith 2007 – Lachie Turner 2006 – Benn Robinson 2005 – Peter Hewat 2004 – Nic Henderson & Drew Mitchell 2003 – Matt Giteau 2002 – Van Humphries 2001 – David Croft 2000 – Phil Waugh 1999 – Nathan Sharpe 1998 – Chris Whitaker |
2013 – Steve Walsh
2012 – Steve Walsh 2011 – Stuart Dickinson 2010 – Stuart Dickinson 2009 – Stuart Dickinson 2008 – Stuart Dickinson 2007 – Stuart Dickinson 2006 – Scott Young 2005 – Andrew Cole 2004 – Andrew Cole 2003 – Peter Marshall 2002 – Stuart Dickinson 2001 – Peter Marshall 2000 – Wayne Erickson 1999 – Stuart Dickinson 1998 – Scott Young |
More to follow.