HSBC Waratahs hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau was last night awarded the Matthew Burke Cup for the NSW Players' Player during the 2010 Super 14 season. Polota-Nau finished the season on 252 votes to win from Drew Mitchell (221) who received the Best Back award in his debut season with the side.
The pair was separated by just six votes going into the semi-final against the Stormers at Newlands, with Polota-Nau's powerhouse display securing his first team award since making his NSW debut in 2006.
The only match during the season which Polota-Nau did not receive votes was the one game he missed through injury against the Brumbies in round eleven. He received the highest number of votes for a single match with 58 out of a possible 63 votes in round four against the Sharks. He also polled the most votes against the Force and in the semi-final against the Stormers.
Kurtley Beale's move to fullback was significant in his third-place finish on 189 points. Along with Polota-Nau, Beale was the only other player to poll the most votes in three matches (against the Crusaders, Highlanders and Chiefs).
Phil Waugh finished fourth on 180 points claiming the Best Forward title for the third straight year. The NSW captain also won the award in 2005 and claimed the inaugural Matthew Burke Cup in 2004. Waugh (Stormers and Brumbies) and Mitchell (Lions and Hurricanes) each topped the votes in two matches throughout the season.
Wycliff Palu (Reds), Luke Burgess (Bulls), Daniel Halangahu (Blues) and Berrick Barnes (Cheetahs) topped the polling in one match each.
Each player in the 22-man match day squad submitted votes on a 3-2-1 basis after each round to determine the overall result.
2010 MATTHEW BURKE CUP STANDINGS
Tatafu Polota-Nau 252
Drew Mitchell 221
Kurtley Beale 189
Phil Waugh 180
Daniel Halangahu 132
Wycliff Palu 124
Berrick Barnes 113
Luke Burgess 87
Dean Mumm 78
Lachie Turner 73
MATTHEW BURKE CUP HONOUR ROLL
2010 Tatafu Polota-Nau
2009 Wycliff Palu
2008 Wycliff Palu
2007 Rocky Elsom
2006 Adam Freier
2005 Nathan Grey
2004 Phil Waugh
BEST FORWARD HONOUR ROLL
2010 Phil Waugh
2009 Phil Waugh
2008 Phil Waugh
2007 Adam Freier
2006 Dan Vickerman
2005 Phil Waugh
2004 Dan Vickerman
BEST BACK HONOUR ROLL
2010 Drew Mitchell
2009 Timana Tahu
2008 Lote Tuqiri
2007 Ben Jacobs
2006 Chris Whitaker
2005 Peter Hewat
2004 Chris Whitaker
