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Wallabies backrower Valetini scoops Rugby Australia's top prize
Humbled Brumbies back-rower Rob Valetini says “it’s crazy” that he’s joined Wallabies legends like former teammate Michael Hooper as a John Eales Medallist after being crowned as Australian rugby’s men’s player of the year.
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The 25-year-old was one of the Wallabies’ most consistent performers in an otherwise disappointing 12 months that culminated in Australia’s first-ever pool-stage elimination at a Rugby World Cup.
The Melbourne-born-and-raised bruiser played in all nine Tests in 2023, including four through the France-hosted World Cup, and was integral in getting the Wallabies on the front foot.
Valetini has played 39 Test matches since making his debut in 2019 and last year made the No.8 jersey his own.
In the poll from Australia’s players after each Test, Valetini drew 141 votes to finish ahead of NSW Waratahs prop Angus Bell (132) and wing sensation and dual John Eales Medallist Marika Koroibete (116).
Koroibete, who won the award in 2019 and 2022, was attempting to join Wallabies greats Israel Folau (2014, 2015, 2017) and record four-time recipient Hooper (2013, 2015, 2020, 2021) as only the third man to win the award at least three times.
“It means a lot,” Valetini said after accepting his award at a glitzy ceremony at Sydney’s Darling Harbour on Wednesday night.
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“It’s crazy because I used to watch all those players when I was growing up.
“To play alongside the likes of ‘Poey’ (David Pocock) and ‘Hoops’ (Hooper), it’s surreal.
“I am truly honoured to join them. It is a bit strange, but I am proud of the boys for considering me for this award. I am truly grateful.”
The other two finalists were NRL-bound winger Mark Nawaqanitawase and 2023 World Cup captain, lock Will Skelton.
Tight-head prop Eva Karpani was named Wallaroos player of the year following a breakout year in 2023, starting all eight Tests.
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Born in Queensland, raised in Adelaide and playing for NSW, Karpani was instrumental in the strong finish to the season that saw the Wallaroos finish third in World Rugby’s inaugural WXV tournament.
The 27-year-old scored a hat-trick in Australia’s boilover win against France and a crucial try in their victory over Wales to poll 146 points to pip Melbourne flanker Ashley Marsters (140) and 2022 winner, NSW centre Georgina Friedrichs (118).
Maddison Levy was runaway winner of the Shawn Mackay Award for the women’s sevens player of the year while Henry Paterson picked up the men’s trophy.
Other awards presented at the Sydney function on Wednesday night included Queensland’s Fraser McReight and Cecilia Smith, who won the player-of-the-year gongs in Super Rugby Pacific and Super W respectively.
Reds clubmate Carys Dallinger also picked up the rookie-of-the-year prize for her first season with the Wallaroos.
The junior players of the year for U20s were Teddy Wilson from the NSW Waratahs and Wallaroos rookie Faitala Moleka (ACT Brumbies).
Angus Gardner was recognised as Australia’s best referee following his appointment to the Rugby World Cup semi-final between New Zealand and Argentina.
Try of the year went to Jake Upfield, who scored Queensland’s length-of-the-field effort against the Highlanders in Super Rugby Pacific.
2023 Rugby Australia award winners:
John Eales Medal – Rob Valetini
Wallaroos player of the Year – Eva Karpani
Shawn Mackay men’s sevens player of the year – Henry Paterson
Shawn Mackay women’s sevens player of the Year – Maddison Levi
Super Rugby Australian player of the year – Fraser McReight
Super W player of the year – Cecilia Smith
RA rookie of the year – Carys Dallinger
RA junior men’s player of the year – Teddy Wilson
RA junior women’s player of the year – Faitala Moleka
Try of the year – Jake Upfield
Referee of the year – Angus Gardner
Nick Farr-Jones Spirit of Rugby award – Bernard Tuaimau and Nathan Maiava
Joe French Award for outstanding contribution to rugby – Tim Gavin
Community coach of the year – Michael Crank
Community match official of the year – Anthony Furey (Central Coast Rugby Union Referees)
Comments on RugbyPass
Tamati Tua. …the Taniwha NPC midfielder. Ollie Sapsford, Hawkes Bay NPC midfielder…doing well
1 Go to commentsFiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
1 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
3 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
33 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
3 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
33 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
33 Go to commentsShould've done this years ago. Change Saturday kick off times to around 11am. Up and off and back home before 3pm, limit travel time too. Allows players to actually do something else with their Saturday that's family oriented or being rugby fans they could ‘watch’ pro rugby. Increases crowds etc. How can anyone that enjoys grassroots and pro rugby have to choose between the two on Saturdays?
9 Go to commentsI bet he inspired those supporters just as much.
1 Go to comments