After an initial shortlist of Leigh Halfpenny, George North and Richard Hibbard had been drawn up by BBC pundit Jonathan Davies, the ultimate decision was left to the Welsh rugby supporters. The Welsh public have been voting in their thousands via @dovemen and the Official WRU Facebook and Twitter pages and despite both Leigh Halfpenny and George North running him close, the Ospreys hooker received the largest proportion of votes.
Building on a blistering RBS 6Nations and British and Irish Lions Tour, Hibbard put in three eye-catching performances over the Dove Men Series. His aggressive ball carrying, strong scrummaging and crunching tackles – most notably his big hit on Australia captain, Ben Mowen, just meters from the try line – have been second to none.
Upon receiving the award, a delighted Hibbard said: ‘It’s a massive honour receiving this award, especially as it was voted for by the public. It makes all the bumps and bruises even more worth it now!
“It was a tough Dove Men Series but we know how close we are to the world’s top teams.”
Dove Men+Care Brand Manager, John Savage said ‘As title sponsors of the Dove Men Series and proud supporter of the Welsh Rugby Union, we are thrilled to be able to show our support to those players who consistently perform at the highest level for their country. Richard Hibbard is a well-deserved winner of this inaugural award.’
In recognition of the award, Dove Men+Care have pledged to make a donation of £1,000 to a charity of the player’s choice, in addition to £1,000 that they have already committed to Velindre Cancer Centre in Cardiff where former Wales captainMatthew Rees is currently undergoing extensive treatment. Richard has decided to award the money to two causes very close to him, Tywyn Primary School and S.N.A.C Special Needs Activity Centre.
Jonathan Davies added, ‘Richard Hibbard has performed exceptionally well over the course of the Dove Men Series and I am delighted that Dove Men+Care are presenting him with this award and contributing a generous amount to the Velindre Cancer Centre, a very worthwhile cause of which I am President.’
