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Smith wins sixth successive honour
July 11, 2008 CHAMPION flanker George Smith collected a remarkable sixth successive Brumbies players' player award.
The Australia back-rower bagged the award at a presentation in Canberra, taking his amazing tally to seven wins.
Smith, Australia's reigning Super 14 player of the year, dominated voting, his 535 picks well ahead of full-back Mark Gerrard's 154 and flanker Mitchell Chapman's 111.
In the absence of injured skipper Stirling Mortlock, Smith captained the Brumbies seven times this season and notched up his 100th Super rugby match.
Brumbies coach Laurie Fisher acknowledged Smith as a deserving winner.
"After a while, you run out of superlatives for George Smith," Fisher said.
"George is tremendously talented and consistent footballer who has remained at the top of his game for nine years.
"Winning this award seven times, considering the calibre of players we have had through the side during that time, is a magnificent achievement."
In the night's other awards, prop Nic Henderson was named best forward, Gerrard best back and promising flyhalf Christian Lealiifano the most improved.
Smith will become Australia's most-capped forward when the Wallabies play South Africa in the Tri-Nations Test in Perth on Saturday week, overtaking Wallabies legend John Eales.
AAP
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,...-23217,00.html
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