Rob Valetini has won his second successive John Eales Medal as the Wallabies Player of the Year, becoming just the third player behind Michael Hooper and Israel Folau to win the prestigious award back-to-back.
Valetini has the medal around his neck for the second time in just nine months, after winning the 2023 John Eales Medal in February and then winning the 2024 edition on Wednesday evening in Sydney ahead of departing for the Wallabies Spring tour to Great Britain and Ireland.
After winning the award, Valetini spoke of his hope of restoring pride not just in the Wallabies, but also across Australian rugby.
“I guess for me, it’s just putting rugby in Australia in a better place, I think it’s sort of looked down on (as a sport),” Valetini said.
“I want to be part of the group that changes that perception of rugby in Australia and then again, I think I just love the game to be honest and everything that comes with it.”
Valetini is hopeful the Wallabies can record wins against England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland and is almost certain to be part of the starting team for the first Test in London next Saturday.
Rob Valetini poses with the John Eales Medal during the 2024 Rugby Australia Awards at Royal Randwick Racecourse.Credit: Getty Images for Rugby Australia
“Something I always want to do is try to lead with my actions,” Valetini said. “We’ve got a great group of boys at the moment…(I’m) keen to play against the European nations, and, you know, they’re all quite strong, and we’ll be backing ourselves 100 per cent.”
Valetini’s exceptional form and durability were recognised after starting in all nine Tests this year, including the July internationals and the Rugby Championship.
Valetini beat fellow backrowers Harry Wilson and Fraser McReight to the highest honour in Australian men’s rugby.
In coach Joe Schmidt’s first season in charge of the Wallabies, Valetini’s consistently excellent performances were once again recognised by his international teammates who voted for the award.
Valetini’s ability to win collisions and gain ground against the toughest defences in world rugby remains a key part of the Wallabies’ game plan and the Brumbies’ breakaway also scored two tries against Georgia and one against Argentina.
Wilson captained the Wallabies in their last four Tests, becoming the 90th player to lead Australia after capping an impressive international comeback after being axed from the Wallabies squad prior to the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
McReight’s superb run of form internationally was slightly interrupted after missing four Tests against South Africa and Argentina after undergoing surgery for a broken hand sustained in the first Test of the season in July against Wales in Sydney.
The Reds breakaway’s excellent club form was recognised, as he defended his Super Rugby Pacific Player of the Year title.
Maya Stewart poses with the Buildcorp Wallaroos Player of the Year Award.Credit: Getty Images for Rugby Australia
Winger Maya Stewart was named Wallaroos Player of the Year after scoring nine tries in eight Tests, becoming her country’s record try scorer and playing a key role in winning the WXV 2 tournament in South Africa.
Stewart is now recognised as one of the game’s best talents and reflected on her journey to the top of the sport after a difficult start to her career.
“I’ve had a few injury plagued seasons and started, you know, my rugby career quite slowly, but it’s been really nice,” Stewart said. “It’s been building for some time now, so it means a lot to honestly receive an award like this, It’s been something I’ve wanted to do, but not something I’ve been looking to do.”
Maddison Levi won her second successive best women’s sevens player award, with the superstar player currently caught in a potential tug of war for her services, with the NRLW and the Wallaroos both keen to utilise her talents in the future. Nathan Lawson won the men’s sevens player of the year award.
Meanwhile, Toutai Kefu and Matthew Burke were inducted into the Wallabies Hall of Fame and Selena Tranter, Cheryl McAfee and Emilee Barton were inducted into the inaugural Australian Women’s Rugby Hall of Fame.
Sports news, results and expert commentary. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.
