Wallaby ace George Smith leads race for top gong – Rob Miller

Australian superstar George Smith is a prime contender to be crowned Aviva Premiership player of the year, according to Wasps team-mate Rob Miller.
Back rower Smith is enjoying a stellar campaign with the Coventry outfit and is competing alongside the likes of Saracens trio Billy Vunipola, Alex Goode and Maro Itoje, club-mate Elliot Daly and Exeter‘s Thomas Waldrom to land the top individual prize.
Miller, right, reckons it is an open and shut case, however, telling The Rugby Paper: “George has got to be up there and his influence at Wasps this season speaks for itself.
“He’s been on top of his game for as long as I can remember watching him on TV and with all the experience he’s gained around the world, he’s been brilliant.
“George is one of the nicest, most generous blokes around and he works incredibly hard. He’s always doing extras with the other back-rowers and he’s a top lad.
“He’s a quiet guy who just goes about his business, but he has that aura about him and his experience has been key in high pressure, high intensity games.
“When he gets over the ball it’s rare that anyone’s going to knock him off it and he can still make a line-break or two. I’m glad he’s in my team, not the opposition.”
Miller’s views are echoed by Wasps rugby director Dai Young, who believes Smith’s presence in this season’s Premiership has been a major coup for the league.
Young said: “George has been excellent for us and the Premiership. You want these types of players playing in our league and everyone enjoys watching him.
“It’s not for me to pick the player of the year, but I know what he’s given us and it’s the unseen things as much as the stuff he does on the pitch, the way he is around the club with his professionalism and the way he prepares for games.
“His approachability in trying to help everybody is tremendous and he’s a fantastic role model for any young, aspiring player with what he’s achieved.”
Smith has made 16 Premiership appearances and his performances have put Wasps within sight of their first tilt at the play-offs since their 2008 title win.
With 57 tries in 19 matches, Wasps are the division’s top scorers and Miller, who joined from Sale in 2014, believes they are on the cusp of something special.
He said: “There’s been pressure on us to bridge the gap between us and the top two but we’ve done that now and are in a really good place to push on.
“Our feet are on the ground but the boys are excited about what’s going to happen in the coming weeks. We’re working hard on our attack and having dangerous runners like Elliot Daly and Christian Wade helps, but we’ve got a good platform, too.
“We can launch things off the likes of George, Joe Launchbury and Nathan Hughes and credit to the squad who kept the momentum going while our internationals were away. We’ve been through a transition period but we’re in a great position.”
Miller’s own form has been impressive, prompting talk of a summer call-up for the England Saxons tour of South Africa. He added: “I’m available but selection is out of my control. All you can do is play well for your club and I’m enjoying my rugby.”
NEALE HARVEY