Australian Rugby
Pocock wins John Eales Medal
ESPNscrum Staff
October 21, 2010
Pocock claimed a landslide victory in the voting process
© Getty Images
Enlarge
Wallabies flanker David Pocock has won the John Eales Medal as Australia's Player of the Year. The 22-year-old also secured a memorable double by also topping the public poll to be crowned Australia's Choice - 2010 Wallaby of the Year. The 25-Test back-rower joins other openside flankers George Smith (2002, 2008) and Phil Waugh (2003) as a John Eales Medallist. The Western Force breakaway claimed Australian rugby's most prestigious honour to cap a breakthrough season, which saw him take over the reins from retired Wallabies stalwart Smith. Pocock is one of five players to have featured in all 10 matches played by the Wallabies so far this year, and one of only three to start every game - alongside skipper Rocky Elsom and tight-head prop Salesi Ma'afu. Pocock's performance on the 2009 Grand Slam tour included a Man-of-the-Match effort in the drawn Test against Ireland at Croke Park, as well as a maiden Test try during the 33-12 win over Wales at Cardiff before being forced to retire at half-time due to a damaged thumb. One of several rising stars of the game, Pocock beat last year's winner Matt Giteau into second place with fly-half Quade Cooper claiming third in the voting process that saw every Wallaby from the past year cast a vote following each Test clash. The top ten contenders were announced last month and were also in the running for the people's choice award, with the general public given the chance to vote for their favourite online.
John Eales Medal Votes:
The full list of award winners:
Previous winners of the John Eales Medal are:
© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
|
Communication error please reload the page.