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

Just the third man to ever claim back-to-back John Eales medals, Rob Valetini has pledged to help bring the glory days back to the Wallabies.

After claiming his second successive John Eales Medal, Wallabies star Rob Valetini has declared he wants to play a role in the revival of Australian rugby.

Following two decades of failure at World Cups and the Bledisloe Cup, Valetini is aware that the game in this country is a precarious position.

The 26-year-old backrower outlined his motivation after receiving his medal at Rugby Australia’s awards night in Randwick on Wednesday.

“For me, [it’s] just putting rugby in Australia in a better place, I think it’s sort of looked down on,” Valetini said.

“I want to be part of the group that changes that, that changes that perception of rugby in Australia.

“And then again, I just love the game, to be honest. Everything that comes with it. You make friends. I’ve got lifelong friends as well that I’ve made in the squad.

“And everything that comes with it. You get to tour, play in amazing places. It’s easy to be playing the game that you love, and be playing in all of these places is a bonus.

“So I’m just thankful and grateful that I’m in this position.”

Rob Valetini with his John Eales Medal. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

The Wallabies have a tough Grand Slam spring tour coming up. The squad departed Sydney on Thursday and will play England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland in preparation for the 2025 British & Irish Lions series.

The Wallabies have not beaten all four northern nations since the 1984 Wallabies claimed the Grand Slam.

Following a disappointing season in which they finished last in The Rugby Championship and were beaten by a record margin in Argentina, Valetini said they will not be distracted by criticism.

“I think you’re always going to get pressure from the outside, we got it this year as well,” he said.

“Every team feels it, no matter how good you are. But probably a good thing about us is, we don’t really listen to the outside noise, and focus on what’s in the group. And we know we can only control what we control, and that’s the things inside the group, and the way that we train.

“We know that people won’t be backing us, but we’ll always put our best foot forward and we’ll always want to win games and put Wallabies rugby where it’s meant to be.”

Valetini is just the third player in history to claim back-to-back Eales medals, joining Michael Hooper and Israel Folau.

“I’m obviously blessed and grateful to have won the award, but I wouldn’t be able to do this without my teammates , them doing their jobs, and obviously the coaching staff as well for backing me to go out there and play my game,” Valetini said.

“I’m not one to really chase medals or anything.

“I just love rugby and, man, I just put it down to my training, just being consistent through there, but then I also put it down to the people behind closed doors who help me and make a lot of sacrifices for me to be able to do what I do.

“So I have to thank my family and my partner as well.”

Valetini makes history at Rugby Australia Awards

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 consecutive John Eales Medallists