VIDEO: Back-to-back as Rugby Australia reveals the best

NEWS: Australian Rugby’s finest performers from the 2024 season were celebrated at the Rugby Australia Awards in Sydney on Wednesday.

The event culminated with the announcement that forward Rob Valetini had become the third player behind Michael Hooper and Israel Folau to secure back-to-back John Eales Medals as the Wallabies Player of the Year.

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The Brumbies enforcer had another standout year for the Wallabies in 2024, featuring in all nine Tests, and with a pivotal role still to play in next month’s Spring Tour.

Wing Maya Stewart was crowned Wallaroos Player of the Year after scoring nine tries in eight Tests and helping to inspire the team’s historic triumph at the WXV 2 tournament in South Africa.

Valetini wasn’t the only back-to-back award winner, with Maddison Levi again named Women’s Sevens Player of the Year and QLD Reds flank Fraser McReight defending his Super Rugby Pacific Player of the Year title.

Nathan Lawson picked up Men’s Sevens Player of the Year while Brumbies captain Siokapesi Palu was named Super Rugby Women’s Player of the Year.

21-year-old Reds wing Tim Ryan capped off his stellar breakthrough season by taking home the Rookie of the Year Award, along with Try of the Year for his solo effort against the Blues at Suncorp Stadium.

Australia U20 captain Toby Macpherson was named Junior Men’s Player of the Year and 18-year-old Caitlyn Halse picked up Junior Women’s Player of the Year after securing the starting fullback role for the Wallaroos.

TheReferee of the Year Award went to Nic Berry, who along with his significant Test commitments, was appointed to officiate the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific Grand Final.

The awards also saw Toutai Kefu and Matthew Burke inducted to the Wallabies Hall of Fame, and Selena Tranter (née Worsley), Cheryl McAfee (née Soon) and Emilee Barton (née Cherry) inducted to the Australian Women’s Rugby Hall of Fame.

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2024 Rugby Australia Awards – winners list

John Eales Medal – Rob Valetini

Wallaroos Player of the Year – Maya Stewart

Shawn Mackay Award for Men’s Sevens Player of the Year – Nathan Lawson

Shawn Mackay Award for Women’s Sevens Player of the Year – Maddison Levi

Super Rugby Pacific Player of the Year – Fraser McReight, QLD Reds

Super Rugby Women’s Player of the Year – Siokapesi Palu, Brumbies

Rookie of the Year Award – Tim Ryan, QLD Reds

Junior Men’s Player of the Year – Toby Macpherson, ACT Brumbies

Junior Women’s Player of the Year – Caitlyn Halse, NSW Waratahs

Try of the Year – Tim Ryan, QLD Reds vs. Blues

Referee of the Year – Nic Berry

Nick Farr-Jones Spirit of Rugby Award – Graeme Tosch, Rugby Victoria

Joe French Award for Outstanding Contribution to Rugby – Kim Evans, Rugby Union South Australia

Geoff ‘Bunter’ Shaw Community Coach of the Year Award – James Barkell, NSW Rugby

Andrew Cole Community Match Official of the Year – Ian McGowan, QLD Country Rugby Referees

Club of the Year – Wagga Wagga Junior Rugby Union Club