Previous winners George Smith and George Gregan recently crossed paths when the Wallabies took on the Barbarians at Wembley © Getty Images

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The finalists for the most prestigious award in Australian Rugby, the Medal for Excellence, have been announced by the Rugby Union Players' Association.

Wallabies George Smith, David Pocock, Berrick Barnes, Peter Hynes and Wycliff Palu are all in the running for the award that not only honours on-field achievements but also recognises rugby players who have gone above and beyond their responsibilities as professional rugby players to make a difference in their communities.

The Rugby Medal for Excellence is a true 'players' player' award with all 132 Super 14 players, eligible to vote annually on a 3-2-1 basis. Each player is asked to vote for a fellow player who they believe excelled on and off the field in 2008 in areas of performance, leadership, consistency and discipline plus their contribution to charitable work, vocational skills and their commitment to the development of the game.

Winner of last year's RUPA Medal for Excellence, George Smith is once again nominated after another impressive season. Off field Smith remains a motivational pillar in the Tongan Rugby community by tirelessly lending his time to promoting the development of youngsters in both Australia and Tonga. If Smith wins the 2008 Medal for Excellence he will join other multiple winners of the medal, including Nathan Sharpe who has won twice and George Gregan who has been named the winner for the Medal for Excellence three times.

RUPA Chief Executive, Mr Tony Dempsey, said that the Medal for Excellence is now well established as the ultimate recognition for Australian rugby players. "In 2008 we have a very strong finalist list with a good mixture of more experienced players and also some new players to the Wallabies. In many ways, the Medal is unique in that it recognises that sportspeople should have a broader responsibility to the community than just playing sport.

"Of course, the Medal for Excellence also requires the winner to make his mark on the playing field, and I think all of our nominees this year have consistently contributed to the various teams they have represented. Rugby Union Player's Association looks forward to finishing 2008 on a high note as we recognise the achievements of our leading players at the awards presentation in Sydney on Friday, 12 December 2008" Dempsey said.

Past winners of the RUPA Medal for Excellence are:
2001 - George Gregan
2002 - Nathan Sharpe
2003 - Brendan Cannon
2004 - George Gregan
2005 - Nathan Sharpe
2006 - George Gregan
2007 - George Smith