Gareth Delve wins Melbourne Rebels’ first People's Choice Award – Rugby news
Cardiff born Welsh international number eight, Gareth Delve, has won the Melbourne Rebels’ first People's Choice Award. The announcement was made on Thursday, June 23 during the Rebels’ 2011 Player Awards at Weary Dunlop Rugby Luncheon.
The 30-year-old Delve joined the Australian Super Rugby franchise Melbourne Rebels in the start of the 2011 Super Rugby season. The RaboDirect sponsored Rebels are Super Rugby’s latest entrants and finished at the bottom of the Australian conference and
Super XV combined tables. Rebels won three of the 16 games played in the season and secured 24 points.
Delve was also appointed as the vice-captain of the Rebels and was given the award after a poll of fans brought him the accolade. This was Delve’s first away season since he started his professional rugby union career.
Delve started his career with Bath Rugby in 2001 and remained there until the end of the 2006/07 season. He played 62 games for Bath in six seasons and scored 20 points.
At the start of the 2007/08 season, Delve joined Gloucester Rugby and remained there for three seasons. He made 56 appearances for Gloucester in both domestic and European competition and scored 20 points.
Delve has also been included in Wales provisional squad for the 2011 Rugby World Cup and his performance in the season might help him secure a place in Wales’ final 30-man squad for the 2011 Rugby World Cup. He made his international debut in 2006 and so
far has made 11 international appearances for the Welsh national rugby union side.
Additionally, Rebels’ winger Cooper Vuna received the Try of the Year Award for his spectacular try against the Hurricanes at AAMI Park. Following his impressive season with the club, Ged Robinson was awarded with the Spirit of Weary Dunlop Award.
Rebels’ scrum half Nick Phipps won the Rebels Best Player of the Year Award. Phipps a World Cup probable in the Australian national rugby union team also won the Australian Super Rugby Rookie of the Year award.
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