Suaalii and Miller among finalists for honours at Rugby Australia Awards

Wallabies centre Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii and Women’s Rugby World Cup try-scoring machine Desiree Miller are both in the running for two prestigious honours at the 2025 Rugby Australia Awards, which will be held in Sydney on Friday evening.

Suaalii made an immediate impact in Wallabies gold after making a highly anticipated move to rugby union from the NRL, receiving Player of the Match honours on debut against England, without playing even a minute of Super Rugby Pacific.

After wearing the sky blue jersey of the NSW Waratahs on seven occasions last season, Suaalii was named in the official Team of the Year at fullback. The code-hopper was chosen ahead of Wallaby Tom Wright and All Blacks fullback Will Jordan.

Suaalii is one of four finalists for Defender of the Year after an unforgettable tackle against the Hurricanes at Wellington’s Sky Stadium. The 22-year-old has also been nominated for Rookie of the Year along with Aden Ekanayake, Mackenzie Davis and Waiaria Ellis.

Former Waratahs teammate Langi Gleeson is one of five finalists for Australia’s Super Rugby Pacific Player of the Year. Tom Hooper from the Brumbies, the Reds’ Fraser McReight, Western Force flanker Carlo Tizzano and Brumbies fullback Wright have been nominated as well.

The John Eales Medal finalists will be announced on the night.

Miller is also a finalist for two awards, including the top individual honour a Wallaroo can receive at the Rugby Australia Awards. After scoring a team-high six tries at this year’s Rugby World Cup, Miller is a contender for Wallaroos Player of the Year.

Cecilia Smith and Tabua Tuinakauvadra are also nominated. Smith was a reliable option in the centres for Jo Yapp’s Wallaroos, while Tuinakauvadra made a noticeable difference at No. 8 – with a three turnover haul off the bench against England among the highlights.

Ahead of the new HSBC SVNS Series season, Rugby Australia will present the Shaun Mackay Medal to a recipient from both the men’s and women’s teams. Henry Hutchison, Henry Paterson and James Turner are in contention from the men’s side.

Try-scoring phenomenon Maddison Levi is in the mix along with captain Isabella Nasser and Faith Nathan. Other Australia Sevens players are up for awards, including Davis who is a finalist for Rookie of the Year along with Suaalii and Junior Women’s Player of the Year.

Heidi Dennis’ unforgettable try against the Black Ferns Sevens in Perth has also been recognised as one of the tries of the season. Max Jorgensen, Charlotte Caslick, Teddy Wilson and Georgina Friedrichs are finalists for Try of the Year as well.

2025 Rugby Australia Awards nominees

John Eales Medal

Will be announced at the awards night.

Wallaroos Player of the Year

Desiree Miller

Cecilia Smith

Tabua Tuinakauvadra

Shawn Mackay Medal

Men

Henry Hutchison

Henry Paterson

James Turner

Women

Maddison Levi

Isabelle Nasser

Faith Nathan

Super Rugby Pacific Player of the Year

Langi Gleeson (NSW Waratahs)

Tom Hooper (ACT Brumbies)

Fraser McReight (Queensland Reds)

Carlo Tizzano (Western Force)

Tom Wright (ACT Brumbies)

Super Rugby Women’s Player of the Year

Georgina Friedrichs (NSW Waratahs)

Desiree Miller (NSW Waratahs)

Tiarah Minns (QLD Reds)

Rookie of the Year

Aden Ekanayake (Men’s Sevens)

Mackenzie Davis (Women’s Sevens)

Waiaria Ellis (Wallaroos)

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (NSW Waratahs & Wallabies)

Junior Men’s Player of the Year

Aden Ekanayake (Men’s Sevens & Australia U20s)

Sid Harvey (Men’s Sevens & Australia U20s)

Eamon Doyle (Australia U20s)

Junior Women’s Player of the Year

Mackenzie Davis (Women’s Sevens)

Caitlyn Halse (NSW Waratahs & Wallaroos)

Waiaria Ellis (NSW Waratahs & Wallaroos)

Try of the Year

1. Max Jorgensen v England, Spring Tour
2. Charlotte Caslick v USA, Pacific Four Series
3. Teddy Wilson v Chiefs, Super Rugby Pacific
4. Georgina Friedrichs v Reds, Super Rugby Women’s Grand Final
5. Heidi Dennis v Black Ferns Sevens, Perth SVNS
6. Sid Harvey v Fiji, Hong Kong Sevens

Defender of the Year

Jayden Blake v Blitzboks, Perth SVNS

Maddison Levi v Black Ferns Sevens, Singapore SVNS

Ashley Marsters v Black Ferns, Pacific Four Series

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii v Hurricanes, Super Rugby Pacific