Rugby-Smith brothers named Australian Super 14 players of year

MELBOURNE, May 22 (Reuters) - Australia openside flanker George Smith was named his country's Super 14 player of the year while his brother Tyrone was named rookie of the year, the Australian Rugby Union said on Thursday.

Both play for the ACT Brumbies in the annual competition that involves teams from South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.

It is the third successive season that George Smith, who beat New South Wales Waratahs' flanker Phil Waugh to the award, was named player of the competition.

Tyrone Smith, who plays in the centre, appeared alongside George in every game, returning to rugby union after a three-year stint playing rugby league in Britain.

Waratahs coach Ewen McKenzie, who was told in April his contract would not be renewed at the end of the season, was named coach of the year after guiding his side to second place and the semi-finals -- the highest-placed finish of the four Australian sides.

Stuart Dickinson was named the Australian referee of the year, while Queensland Reds' winger Peter Hynes was awarded try of the series for his try against the Canterbury Crusaders in the penultimate round.

(Reporting by Greg Stutchbury; Editing by Padraic Halpin)