4 years in the past Rob Valetini was inspired to demand the ball and improve his work-rate after struggling to make a dent on the worldwide stage. Now, the 26-year-old has gained his second straight John Eales Medal.
9 months after he was topped the Wallabies’ greatest participant from the disappointing World Cup marketing campaign, the back-rower as soon as once more was celebrated with rugby’s most prestigious medal round his neck.
Valetini edged out back-row teammates Fraser McReight and Harry Wilson for the medal after starring throughout the 9 Assessments up to now beneath Joe Schmidt’s new-look Wallabies.
He accepted the award in entrance of a black-tie viewers at Randwick Racecourse on a glowing Wednesday night.
Rob Valetini took out his second straight John Eales Medal. (Photograph by Mark Evans/Getty Pictures for Rugby Australia)
He was joined on the stage by Maya Stewart – the superb Waratahs winger, who earlier this yr turned the nation’s best tryscorer – who took out the Wallaroos Award after scoring 9 tries in eight Assessments.
Her beautiful particular person attempt towards Wales in the course of the Wallaroos’ WXV2 title success additionally noticed her nominated for attempt of the yr.
That award finally went to Reds flyer Tim Ryan, who had a memorable night after additionally being named Tremendous Rugby rookie of the yr.
Maya Stewart took out the Wallaroos’ participant of the yr. (Photograph by Matt King/Getty Pictures)
McReight, the good Reds breakaway, additionally defended his title of being Tremendous Rugby participant of the yr. The Wallabies No.7 edged out Tom Wright, who loved his greatest yr for the Brumbies this season.
Brumbies and Wallaroos back-rower Siokapesi Palu took out the Tremendous Rugby Girls’s award.
Nathan Lawson took out the boys’s Australian sevens award whereas Maddison Levi took out the ladies’s.
2024 Rugby Australia Awards – winners record
John Eales Medal – Rob Valetini
Buildcorp Wallaroos Participant of the 12 months – Maya Stewart
Shawn Mackay Award for Males’s Sevens Participant of the 12 months – Nathan Lawson
Shawn Mackay Award for Girls’s Sevens Participant of the 12 months – Maddison Levi
Tremendous Rugby Pacific Participant of the 12 months – Fraser McReight, QLD Reds
Buildcorp Tremendous Rugby Girls’s Participant of the 12 months – Siokapesi Palu, ACT Brumbies
Rookie of the 12 months Award – Tim Ryan, QLD Reds
Junior Males’s Participant of the 12 months – Toby Macpherson, ACT Brumbies
Junior Girls’s Participant of the 12 months – Caitlyn Halse, NSW Waratahs
Cadbury Attempt of the 12 months – Tim Ryan, QLD Reds vs. Blues
Fedex Referee of the 12 months – Nic Berry
Nick Farr-Jones Spirit of Rugby Award – Graeme Tosch, Rugby Victoria
Joe French Award for Excellent Contribution to Rugby – Kim Evans, Rugby Union South Australia
Geoff ‘Bunter’ Shaw Neighborhood Coach of the 12 months Award – James Barkell, NSW Rugby
Andrew Cole Neighborhood Match Official of the 12 months – Ian McGowan, QLD Nation Rugby Referees
Cadbury Membership of the 12 months – Wagga Wagga Junior Rugby Union Membership
