Flying wing Henry Speight was crowned Brett Robinson Player’s Player of the Year at the traditional Brumby Ball at the Rex Hotel on Saturday evening as the Brumbies celebrated the 2017 Super Rugby season.
The explosive Fijian wide-man ran in seven tries during the campaign and was an instrumental part of Head Coach Stephen Larkham’s attacking plan as the Brumbies topped the Australian Conference Championship for the second successive year.
Speight, who was also an ever-present during the June Test series that encompassed Wallabies international matches against Fiji, Scotland and Italy, was one of only two players to play every single match of the 2017 Super Rugby season, the other being fly-half Wharenui Hawera.
His seven tries included a memorable double against the Waratahs in Sydney where his second of the game, a magnificent solo effort from deep inside his own half, was short-listed for try of the season.
Ever-improving front rower Allan Alaalatoa came away with the Best Forward gong at the Awards function, beating off some stiff competition to take the trophy.
The prop’s performances in 2017 were marked by a consistency not seen before and he continues to make a positive impression at both club and international level.Scrum-half Joe Powell was named Best Back, culminating an incredible rise for the number nine who began the season as first choice scrum-half following the injury sustained by Tomas Cubelli in a pre-season friendly.
Powell was included in every Matchday squad, apart from the final round fixture against the Chiefs, and gained his first international cap when he came off the bench against Fiji in Sydney.
The Shawn MacKay Most Outstanding New Talent Award was claimed by fly-half Wharenui Hawera who signed for the club from Southland Stags at the start of the season.
Hawera settled into the playmaker role with alacrity and ended the season with 122 points to his name.Meanwhile, Tom Cusack was presented with the Canberra Milk Community Player of the Year Award for his dedication in visiting and promoting local causes.
There was a close-run race between three stars for the 2017 Stallion of the Year, Supporters’ Choice award with scrumhalf Joe Powell coming out on top collecting the prize for an outstanding 2017 Super Rugby campaign.
Joe pocketed 21% of the votes, a mere 2% ahead of his closest challenger.Departing coach Stephen Larkham was presented with the Gary Quinlivan Award.
The Award is presented to a person or organisation who has given outstanding service to the Club over an extended period and the voting panel were in unanimous agreement that Bernie was a more than worthy winner given his unparalleled and dedicated service to the Brumbies as a player and coach.
AWARD WINNERS
Brett Robinson Players’ Player: HENRY SPEIGHT
Best Forward: ALLAN ALAALATOA
Best Back: JOE POWELL
Shawn MacKay Most Outstanding New Talent: WHARENUI HAWERA
Stallion of the Year, Supporters Choice Award: JOE POWELL
Canberra Milk Community Player: TOM CUSACK
Gary Quinlivan Award: STEPHEN LARKHAM
