Wallabies bruiser Rob Valetini wins Aussie rugby's top honour, Eva Karpani judged Wallaroos best
With big hair and the game to match, Rob Valetini has become Australia's 13th John Eales Medallist at the Rugby Australia Awards in Sydney on Wednesday night.
The 25-year-old Wallabies backrower was rewarded for his consistency in 2023, tallying 141 voting points to edge prop Angus Bell (132) and winger Marika Koroibete (116).
Valetini played all nine Tests for Australia last year, earning the respect of his teammates with punishing physicality in both attack and defence.
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Rob Valetini is the winner of the John Eales Medal. Getty Images for Getty Images
"It means a lot. It's crazy because I used to watch all those players when I was growing up. To play alongside the likes of Poey (David Pocock) and Hoops (Michael Hooper), it's surreal. Truly honoured to join them. It is a bit strange, but I am proud of the boys for considering me for this award. I am truly grateful."
Prop Eva Karpani was named Wallaroos player of the year following a breakout season in which she started all eight Tests at tighthead prop.
Karpani scored a hat trick in Australia's upset win over France and a try of the year contender in a victory over Wales.
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Rob Valetini and Eva Karpani. Getty Images for Getty Images
"I don't think an award shows how much we've done over the past 12 months," Karpani said.
"I'm genuinely humbled and grateful. I'd love to change the image of the tighthead prop – I want to show we can be agile and versatile, not just a powerful ball runner. I have so much confidence in this team – it's going to be hard work, but I have all the confidence in the world for us to build in a pre-World Cup year."
The electric Maddison Levi claimed the Shawn Mackay Award for women's sevens player of the year after scoring a record 57 tries in the 2022-23 world series.
Levi was also a finalist at the 2023 World Rugby Awards, a year after being named rookie of the year at the glitzy gala event.
"It was a pretty exciting year for me. I've grown as a player and an athlete and I've been able to build on that, so to top it off with these accolades... shows how hard I am working off the field," Levi said.
Henry Paterson was named Australia's men's sevens player of the year after being picked in World Rugby's dream team for 2022-23.
"To be able to win this award and win in such a competitive team, it means a lot. The last 12 months has been a whirlwind, we lost two of our captains early on so a few of our boys had to deal with it. It resulted in us boys getting a lot more minutes and luckily we landed on our feet and we're heading in the right direction," Paterson said.
Queensland duo Fraser McReight and Cecilia Smith were judged Super Rugby Pacific and Super W player of the year respectively.
John Eales Medal
1. Rob Valetini – 141 pts
2. Angus Bell – 132
3. Marika Koroibete - 116
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Wallaroos player of the year
1. Eva Karpani – 146 pts
2. Ashley Marsters – 140
3. Georgina Friedrichs – 118
2023 Rugby Australia Awards
John Eales Medal – Rob Valetini
Wallaroos player of the year – Eva Karpani
Shawn Mackay Award for men's sevens player of the year – Henry Paterson
Shawn Mackay Award for women's sevens player of the year – Maddison Levi
Super Rugby player of the year – Fraser McReight, Reds
Super W player of the year – Cecilia Smith, Reds
Rookie of the year – Carys Dallinger, Wallaroos
Junior men's player of the year – Teddy Wilson
Junior women's player of the Year – Faitala Moleka
Try of the year – Jake Upfield, Reds vs Highlanders
Referee of the Year – Angus Gardner
Nick Farr-Jones spirit of rugby award – Bernard Tuaimau, Sydney Junior Rugby Union and Nathan Maiava, Melton Rugby Club
Joe French Award for outstanding contribution to rugby – Tim Gavin, Eastern Suburbs and NSW
Geoff 'Bunter' Shaw community coach of the year award – Michael Crank, Mount Maria College
Andrew Cole community match official of the year – Anthony Furey, Central Coast Rugby Union Referees
