Champion flanker George Smith has been crowned Australia's Super 14 player of the year for the third successive season.

And in a memorable double for the Smith family, George's younger brother, Brumbies teammate Tyrone, was named rookie of the year at the annual awards presentation in Sydney.

George clinched his record-equalling hat-trick with a two-vote winning margin over NSW Waratahs captain and long-time Wallabies rival and teammate Phil Waugh.

Smith's recognition was a personal consolation for the Brumbies missing the Super semi-finals for the fourth season in a row.

His durability and ultra-consistency proved decisive in Smith claiming the night's top individual honour and, in the process, matching Queensland Reds and Wallabies fullback Chris Latham's three consecutive player of the year awards.

Smith played all 13 matches for the Canberra-based province in 2008, captaining the Brumbies for the first half of the season in the absence of regular skipper Stirling Mortlock.

He also reached a personal milestone during the season, making his 100th Super rugby appearance against the Cheetahs in round six.

Tyrone, 25, also played in all 13 matches in his debut season, scoring three tries before winning selection in the Barbarians squad to play matches against the touring Ireland and England sides later this month.

Returning to rugby after a three-year stint in rugby league with Harlequins in the European Super League - where he scored 22 tries in 62 matches for the London-based club - Smith proved resilient and reliable in a Brumbies team ravaged by injuries.

The classy inside centre also offered a cutting edge to the Brumbies backline on his return to the 15-man game after a five-year absence.

Ewen McKenzie collected his third coach of the year award after guiding the Waratahs to second place in the minor premiership and to within two wins of a maiden Super championship.

In his last season in charge of the Waratahs, McKenzie has now picked up three coaching gongs in five years and he will be hoping to steer the side to this year's final with victory over the Sharks at the Sydney Football Stadium on Saturday night.

Australia's most experienced match official, Stuart Dickinson, was named Super 14 referee of the year for the second consecutive season.

Dickinson, who controlled seven Super 14 games during the preliminary stages of the tournament, has been appointed to referee the Crusaders v Hurricanes semi-final in Christchurch on Saturday.

The Australian Super 14 try of the season went to Queensland winger Peter Hynes for his effort against the Crusaders in Brisbane two weeks ago.

Receiving the ball after an expansive Reds backline move, Hynes produced a brilliant step off his left foot to beat three cover defenders and score under the posts.

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