The 2013 Super Rugby Awards were held in Sydney today.
The awards handed out today were the player of the year, rookie of the year, team of the year, coach of the year, try of the year and referee of the year.
How they’re selected
[one_half last=”no”]Super Rugby Player of the Year:
The Super Rugby Player of the Year award has been decided by 18 of Australia’s esteemed Rugby television, radio and print journalists and commentators over the course of the 2013 Super Rugby Season.
Every week one journalists submitted their 3-2-1 votes for each of the Super Rugby games involving an Australian franchise. With 3 votes awarded to the player they adjudge to be ‘Man-of-the-Match’, 2 for next best and 1 for next best.
Any player playing in an Australian Franchise was eligible to be considered for a vote during the 18 home and away rounds of Super Rugby.[/one_half]
[one_half last=”yes”]Super Rugby Rookie of the Year:
The Rookie of the year is selected by ARU’s High Performance Unit, which includes ARU’s General Manager of Sevens, Anthony Eddy and General Manager Development Pathways, Ben Whitaker.
The Super Rugby Rookie of the Year is awarded to the player who is deemed to have been the most outstanding first year player in Australia. Consideration is given by the HPU panel to votes polled during the Super Rugby season.[/one_half]
Player Of The Year
The 2013 award goes to Michael Hooper of the Waratahs. Hooper finished the season with a total of 21 votes. That was four votes in front of the nearest challengers, George Smith of the Brumbies and Will Genia of the Reds. Hooper trailed Smith towards the end of the season but his efforts against the Brumbies and Crusaders got him over the line in the end.
[one_half last=”no”]
Top 10 (votes)
Hooper (21)
Genia (17)
Smith (17)
O’Connor (16)
Folau (15)
Lealiifano (13)
H’botham (13)
Gill (13)
Mowen (11)
Quade (10)[/one_half]
[one_half last=”yes”]
Past winners
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[/one_half]
Rookie Of The Year
No real surprises here with Israel Folau of the Waratahs taking out this years award. Folau joined the Waratahs from AFL and was a revelation in his first year in rugby and even finished fourth in the player of the year tally. Folau tallied three man-of-the-match performances against the Force, Chiefs and Kings to help him claim his title.
Team and Coach Of The Year
The Brumbies get the team award by finishing on top of the Australian Conference and Jake White wins the coach of the year award.
Try Of The Year
Rod Davies from the Reds got the nod for this effort against the Sharks in round 10 at Suncorp.
Referee Of The Year
Steve Walsh won this award for the second year in a row.
