Queensland Reds and Wallabies fullback Chris Latham has won his fourth Australian Super 12 player of the year award despite his team’s dismal performance in the competition.
Latham polled 11 votes to win the award, decided by match referees, one vote ahead of Brumbies flanker George Smith, who last week was named the ACT’s player of the year.
Waratahs winger Peter Hewat took the rookie-of-the-year award after a maiden season that saw him become the Super 12’s top point-scorer.
The 27-year-old also won the Tooheys New Medal, for the people’s choice player of the year.
It was the third year in a row for Latham as player of the year, an honour he first took in 2000.
Ewen McKenzie was named coach of the year for guiding the Waratahs to their first Super 12 final.
The awards were handed out in Sydney at a function late on Wednesday. — Sapa-AFP