ACT Brumbies backrower Rob Valetini became only the third player to win back-to-back John Eales Medals at the Rugby Australia Awards in Sydney on Wednesday night.
Valetini, 26, follows in the footsteps of Michael Hooper and Israel Folau in claiming consecutive Wallabies Player of the Year honours. He was voted in as the 2024 winner ahead of fellow backrowers Fraser McReight and Harry Wilson after a huge season in both the Brumbies and the Gold jerseys.
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"I feel blessed and grateful to have won the award," Valetini said, upon receiving the John Eales medal.
"I wouldn't be able to do this without my teammates doing their jobs and the coaching staff for backing me to play my game.
"I'm not the type of guy to chase medals. I just love rugby and I think I put it down to my training and being consistent through there and people who have helped me and make a lot of a sacrifices to make me who I am.
"I have to thank my family and my partner as well. I'm grateful for what they do behind the scenes to allow me to play for my nation."
The Melbourne-born flanker was a colossus for the ACT Brumbies in 2024 as he appeared in all 16 matches, scoring six tries in our push to the Super Rugby Pacific semi-finals for the third year in a row.
Valetini has also featured in every match for the Wallabies this year, finishing with three tries, six turnovers and 78 tackles in the process. He has quickly established himself as one the best backrowers in World Rugby ahead of what is set to be a huge year for club and country in 2025.
Valetini joins former Brumby legend George Smith in winning multiple John Eales Medals, as his attention now turns to the Spring Tour in Europe, with the Wallabies set to depart on Thursday ahead of Tests against England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland next month.
Valetini is confident of a good showing against the Home Nations after a promising start under new Wallabies Head Coach Joe Schmidt.
He said: "Following what we've done so far this year, I think we can go pretty far. Joe (Schmidt) has only had a couple of months with us, but I feel like we're growing and the confidence is coming back. We're all keen to make the team better.
"We also want to put Australian rugby in a better place. The boys have been working really hard the past few weeks, so we're keen to get over there and hopefully put on some performances that the fans and spectators can be proud of."
