NT RECOGNITION AT AUSTRALIAN
RUGBY’S NIGHT OF NIGHTS Northern Territory has carried off one of the six coveted awards presented at the John Eales Medal night to award excellence in Australian Rugby Union. Glen Byrnes, from the Swampdogs Rugby Union club, was named the 2008 Volunteer of the Year at a glittering function in Sydney on Thursday where the entire Wallabies squad was in attendance prior to their departure for Hong Kong and Europe for a six-match campaign. Australian Rugby Union Managing Director and CEO John O’Neill made the on-stage presentation to Glen in front of a 300-strong crowd boasting the biggest names in the game. The Volunteer of the Year is drawn from nominations made by each of the eight State and Territory unions and is part of the National Volunteer Recognition Program. Qantas Wallabies flanker George Smith won the John Eales Medal on the night – the first player to win the Medal twice since its inception in 2002. Winger Peter Hynes was named Rookie of the Year. Five-eighth Matt Giteau collected the award for having the most influence over Try of the Year. Flanker Rocky Elsom was named Australia’s Choice – 2008 Wallaby of the Year as voted on by the public. And long-serving Australian Schoolboys administrator Brother Bob Wallace won the Joe French Award for outstanding service. | 
