Overview
- Grant claimed the men’s prize in a tight decision that upended widespread predictions that Brown would win.
- His case rested on Australia’s 3-0 Ashes sweep of England, where he played every Test, captained in Liverpool, starred in Leeds and scored a decisive try.
- Melbourne teammate Cameron Munster was overlooked despite being named player of the Ashes series, with New Zealand captain Joseph Tapine finishing third in voting.
- The judging panel comprised Darren Lockyer, Cameron Smith, Ruben Wiki, James Graham and Petero Civoniceva.
- Brisbane’s Julia Robinson was a unanimous women’s winner after seven tries in four Tests and becoming the Jillaroos’ all-time leading try-scorer, with both awards to be presented Friday in Brisbane.