Richards named Man of Steel

Wigan's prolific goalkicking winger Pat Richards is the 2010 Engage Super League Man of Steel.

The 28-year-old was named as the winner of rugby league's most coveted individual prize at a gala dinner in Manchester on Monday night, where the league leaders and grand finalists completed a clean sweep of the major awards.

Wigan's Michael Maguire won the coach of the year award in his first season and stand-off or full-back Sam Tomkins was named young player of the year for the second year in a row. The Warriors were also named club of the year.

Richards was adjudged to have made the biggest impact on the season, beating Tomkins and Warrington captain Adrian Morley, who was short-listed for the second successive season, in a secret poll of his fellow players.

Richards succeeds fellow countryman Brett Hodgson, the Huddersfield full-back, and is only the fifth Australian to be crowned Man of Steel since the award was introduced in 1977. Richards, who was named as the Rugby League Writers' Association player of the year earlier this month, was instrumental in helping Wigan to their best season for 10 years.

He scored 29 tries, kicked 135 points and amassed 388 points in total to top all three scoring charts and equal the Super League record set by former Wigan captain Andy Farrell - while only two players have made more metres than the Australian winger, who is also joint top for clean breaks.

Special awards to mark their final seasons in Super League were made to St Helens captain Keiron Cunningham, Salford skipper Malcolm Alker and Wakefield captain Jason Demetriou.

BBC commentator Ray French was awarded the Mike Gregory Spirit of Rugby League Award to mark his contribution to the game and Sky Sports executive producer Neville Smith was inducted as a guest onto the RFL Roll of Honour.