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Genia named Player of Year
ESPN Staff
July 26, 2012
Reds' scrum-half Will Genia scores a try against the Chiefs, Reds v Chiefs, Super Rugby, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, Australia, May 13, 2012
Genia is the third player to win the award in successive years © PA Photos
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Reds scrum-half Will Genia has been named the Australian Super Rugby player of the year for the second season in a row.

Genia (18 votes) claimed the honour by a single vote ahead of Brumbies' Christian Lealiifano, Western Force's David Pocock and Reds team-mate Scott Higginbotham. Genia now joins George Smith and Chris Latham as the only players to win the coveted award in successive years.

The Reds dominated the Australian awards, winning four of the five on offer. In addition to Genia's achievement, they were named team of the year while Ewen McKenzie was named coach of the year for a record fifth time.

McKenzie won the gong on three occasions while in charge of the Waratahs (2005, 2006 and 2008) and did so last year as the Reds swept all before them to win the Super 15 title. Queensland also clinched the try of the year award for the superb team effort against the Rebels in round 16, which was finished off by Dom Shipperley.

Brumbies flyer Joseph Tomane was named the rookie of the year and Steve Walsh took away the referee of the year honour.

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