Wallaby centre crowned the best

NEWS: Australia’s top performers from the 2025 season were celebrated in Sydney on Friday.

Len Ikitau won his first John Eales Medal, becoming the first centre to claim the honour since its inception in 2002.

The 48-cap Wallaby had a phenomenal year in the gold jersey. His year opened with the match-winning ‘flick pass seen around the world’ to Max Jorgensen as the Wallabies won at Twickenham, before ending the season by topping The Rugby Championship in try assists.

Back rower Tabua Tuinakauvadra was crowned Wallaroos Player of the Year for the first time after a breakout Pacific Four Series tournament before starring in her maiden Rugby World Cup.

Faith Nathan and James Turner were also first-time winners as they claimed the Shawn Mackay Awards for the Women’s and Men’s Sevens Player of the Year, respectively.

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii’s first season culminated in being named Rookie of the Year, with the 22-year-old excelling for both the Waratahs and Wallabies.

Western Force flank Carlo Tizzano claimed the Super Rugby Pacific Player of the Year title while Waratahs star Georgina Friedrichs was named Super Rugby Women’s Player of the Year.

Aden Ekanayake and Sid Harvey were joint winners for Junior Men’s Player of the Year for their performances for both Australia Sevens and Australia U20s, while 20-year-old Mackenzie Davis picked up Junior Women’s Player of the Year after her breakout year on the Sevens circuit.

The Referee of the Year Award went to Ella Goldsmith, who along with her significant Test commitments, was appointed to officiate the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup Bronze Medal Match.

The awards night also saw George Smith inducted into the Wallabies Hall of Fame, and Tui Ormsby inducted to the Australian Women’s Rugby Hall of Fame.

2025 Rugby Australia Awards – winners list

John Eales Medal – Len Ikitau
Wallaroos Player of the Year – Tabua Tuinakauvadra
Shawn Mackay Award for Men’s Sevens Player of the Year – James Turner
Shawn Mackay Award for Women’s Sevens Player of the Year – Faith Nathan
Super Rugby Pacific Player of the Year – Carlo Tizzano, Western Force
Super Rugby Women’s Player of the Year – Georgina Friedrichs, NSW Waratahs
Rookie of the Year Award – Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, NSW Waratahs & Wallabies
Junior Men’s Player of the Year – Aden Ekanayake, Men’s 7s/AUS U20s & Sid Harvey, Men’s 7s/AUS U20s
Junior Women’s Player of the Year – Mackenzie Davis, Women’s 7s
Cadbury Try of the Year – Max Jorgensen, Wallabies vs. England
Defender of the Year – Maddison Levi, Women’s 7s vs. NZ, Singapore
Referee of the Year – Ella Goldsmith
Nick Farr-Jones Spirit of Rugby Award – Jo Staples, Queensland Rugby Union
Joe French Award for Outstanding Contribution to Rugby – John Edwards, RugbyWA
Geoff ‘Bunter’ Shaw Community Coach of the Year Award – John Carters, NSW Rugby
Andrew Cole Community Match Official of the Year – Craig Gardner, Tasmanian Rugby Referees