Plus500 Brumbies prop Allan Alaalatoa has taken out the Rugby Union Players' Association (RUPA) Medal For Excellence at the 2019 BDO Rugby Players Lunch in Sydney today. Alaalatoa won the award which is voted for by all Super Rugby players for his achievements both on and off the field in 2019.
The 25-year-old played in 16 matches for the Plus500 Brumbies this season and was a regular for the Wallabies, starting in six games, including four during the Rugby World Cup campaign in Japan, in what was his first appearance at World Rugby's showcase tournament.
The front-rower was also a finalist in the Academic Achievement Award for continuing his tertiary studies and now has just three units left to complete his Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice.
Plus500 Brumbies teammate Lachlan McCaffrey was also recognised this afternoon, awarded the Community Service Award for his work with Youth in Union in the Pacific Islands and the Fly Program which focuses on men's mental health issues.
Blake Enever, Tom Ross and recently retired Josh Mann-Rea were all also finalists in the Academic Achievement Award, while Andy Muirhead was shortlisted for the Community Service Award.
Fellow front-rower Scott Sio was another recognised, inducted into the RUPA Centurions Club.
