Those of you who listen to our podcast will already know the winners of the glittering array of prizes on offer as part of our 10th Anniversary Awards but we appreciate not everyone has time to listen to podcasts and so it’s time to reveal the winners. We reached out to all our winners and received some wonderful responses.
We still heartily recommend listening to the Awards show itself on the podcast, especially if you want to hear an audio description of the last 25 years of Scottish rugby featuring Andy Robinson knocking himself out on stage and Scott Johnson in clown make up and a bikini. Everything was recorded live from the Geoff Cross suite of Scottish Rugby Blog Towers. https://www.scottishrugbyblog.co.uk/2017/10/scottish-rugby-blog-podcast-10th-anniversary-awards/
Now without further ado here are the winners of the Scottish Rugby Blog 10th Anniversary Awards…
Readers’ and writers’ Coach Of The Decade
This was a double award with glory up for grabs through two sets of votes. However the final outcome was unanimous in both votes with only one name emerging victorious.
Winner – Vern Cotter
We got in touch with Vern who kindly sent us a special video message as well as his own personal highlights from his time in charge of Scotland.
Readers’ and writers’ Player Of The Decade
This was another double award. However the final outcome was one again unanimous and there was only one winner.
Winner – Chris Paterson
Writers’ Award For Rugby Media Personality Of The Decade
Nominees – John Beattie/ Hugh Dan MacLennan/ Andrew Cotter/ Peter Wright
Winner – John Beattie
We spoke to John Beattie about what the award meant to him and talked to him about his commentary and work investigating concussion in rugby.
Writers’ Awards For Services To Fashion
Nominees – Sean Lamont/ Grieg Laidlaw/ Duncan Taylor/ Stuart Hogg
Winner – Sean Lamont
Readers’ Award For Cult Hero Of The Decade
Nominees – Chunk/ Girth/ Gordy Reid/ Richie Vernon/ Sean Lamont/ Big Vern Cotter
Winner – Chunk
We got in touch with Chunk to let him know he’d won. He provided the following statement – “You mean I’m not f***ing player of the decade. F*** sake man.”
Readers’ #Justice4Roddy Award For Criminally Undercapped
Nominees – Roddy Grant/ John Barclay/ Thom Evans/ Ross Rennie/ Steven Shingler
Winner – Roddy Grant*
*John Barclay was announced as the winner but as he walked to the stage during the ceremony Roddy Grant burst into the room WWE style, hit him with a chair and marched off with the award.
Readers’ Award For Overseas Player Of The Decade
Nominees – Leone Nakarawa/ Niko Matawalu/ DTH Van Der Merwe
Winner – Leone Nakarawa
Reader’s Award For Scottish Rugby Moment Of The Decade
Nominees – World Cup Quarter Final defeat to Australia/ Melrose winning their own 7s/ Scotland 7s winning in London in 2017/ Berwick Rugby Club drinking the Orkney ferry dry/ Jo Ansbro and Al Strokosh headbutting each other
Winner – World Cup Quarter Final defeat to Australia*
*Due to an administrative error Glasgow’s Pro 12 win was omitted from the list of nominees during the voting process. However the host of the awards ruled that the decision stood as he has been blocked by Al Kellock on Twitter
Player of the Decade based on our average player ratings
Winner – Finn Russell
Most consistent player of the decade based on our player ratings (i.e. has never scored less than a 6 except the time Cam gave everyone a zero)
Winner – Alex Dunbar