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Does anyone else think that perhaps the voting system to decide the Tooheys New Medal, regarded one of the highest awards each year for the Australian Super Rugby Players, may be a little flawed and in need of a makeover next year?
Consider Round 11:
1 Lote Tuqiri NSW Waratahs
2 George Smith ACT Brumbies
3 Mat Rogers NSW Waratahs
4 Peter Hewat NSW Waratahs
5 Stirling Mortlock ACT Brumbies
6 Phil Waugh NSW Waratahs
7 Matt Giteau ACT Brumbies
8 Chris Latham QLD Reds
9 Chris Whitaker NSW Waratahs
10 Adam Freier NSW Waratahs
Pretty impressive stuff by the New South Welshmen, especially since they had the BYE!!!
Round 8? Yep, Brumbies Bye:
4 Stirling Mortlock ACT Brumbies
5 George Smith ACT Brumbies
6 Matt Giteau ACT Brumbies
Round 6? Mighty effort again! Reds Bye:
6 Chris Latham QLD Reds
8 Sam Cordingley QLD Reds
So, there might be the odd inconsistency it seems!
How about Mat Rogers getting Round 1 votes on compassionate grounds?
Round 2, Wendell Sailor getting ranked 7th with a torn hamstring and watching from the grandstand?
Speaking of Round 6, wasn't Lote Tuqiri 2nd, Matt Giteau 5th and Chris Latham 6th playing Sevens at the Commonwealth Games that weekend? All three played well but alas, in the wrong code and for the wrong team!
I think you may have got the idea by now, yes it would appear that the Tooheys New Medal is a popularity contest amongst Australia's marquee players rather than being voted on merit.
And as for the Western Force?
Well right down at Rounds 12 and 13 we finally crack a mention, Cameron Shepherd 5th & 8th, Scott Staniforth 10th & 5th respectively!