Rob Valetini joins Michael Hooper and Israel Folau as a consecutive John Eales Medallists

Rob Valetini, Fraser McReight and Maddison Levi have defended their respective crowns at Australian rugby’s night of nights with a little bit of history being created by the John Eales medallist.

Rob Valetini has become only the third player in history to claim back-to-back John Eales Medals, after the backrower was awarded Australian rugby’s top honour on Wednesday night.

The 26-year-old Brumbies star joins Michael Hooper and Israel Folau as the only Wallabies to claim the medal in successive years

Valetini played all nine Tests for the Wallabies this year under Joe Schmidt and has established himself as a key weapon for the team as they prepare for a Grand Slam spring tour, and next year’s British & Irish Lions tour.

Rob Valetini has claimed his second successive John Eales medal. Picture: Phil Walter/Getty Images

He has shifted between No. 8 and blindside flanker this season, and will play a major role in the coming Tests as Australia look to climb up the world rankings from a low of 10th.

Valetini, born in Melbourne to Fijian parents, made his Test debut in 2019 and has been a regular of the squad since.

His exceptional 2023 season saw him claim the Eales medal for the first time, and Valetini backed that up with another brilliant year that now puts him alongside some of the great Wallaby backrowers including Hooper, David Pocock, George Smith, David Lyons and Phil Waugh who have all claimed the honour.

Michael Hooper after winning the 2016 John Eales Medal. Picture: Gregg Porteous

Israel Folau after winning one of his three John Eales Medals as a Wallaby. Picture: AAP Image/Daniel Munoz

Winger Maya Stewart was crowned the 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 Queensland Reds flanker Fraser McReight defending his Super Rugby Pacific Player of the Year title.

Maddison Levi has again been named Women’s Sevens Player of the Year. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Valetini wasn’t the only back-to-back award winner, with Maddison Levi again named Women’s Sevens player of the year, and Queensland Reds flanker 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.

Tim Ryan, the 21-year-old Reds winger, capped off his stellar breakthrough season by taking home the rookie of the year award, and the try of the year for his solo effort against the Blues at Suncorp Stadium.

Australia under-20s 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.

The referee 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 night 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.

Originally published as Rob Valetini joins Michael Hooper and Israel Folau as a consecutive John Eales Medallists