Rob Valetini’s excellent form rewarded with prestigious award

David Skippers 07 Feb 2024 7:35 AM

Rob Valetini Australia v Georgia RWC 2023 - Alamy.jpg — Wallabies back-row Rob Valetini in action at the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.

Wallabies and Brumbies back-row star Rob Valetini has been crowned as Australia’s best player for the first time after being named as John Eales Medalist for 2023.

Voted by the players after each Australian Test, Valetini is a worthy winner as he was one of the most consistent players in the international game in 2023, despite a woeful year for the Wallabies as a team.

The 25-year-old was a popular winner as he polled 141 votes and he edged out Angus Bell and edged out 2019 and 2022 John Eales Medalist Marika Koroibete, who received 132 and 116 votes respectively.

Bittersweet reward

“It means a lot,” Valetini told reporters. “It was disappointing results last year but winning this award means a lot, even if it was a little bittersweet.”

Bell was in outstanding form throughout the 2023 campaign for the Wallabies after he missed their opening fixture against South Africa, while Koroibete played consistently well throughout the year.

However, Valetini caught the eye with several superb individual performances in 2023 as he played nearly every minute for Australia and started in all nine of their Tests at number eight.

This included a debut Rugby World Cup appearance against Georgia in France and he led the team for carries (41) while finishing third for tackles made (36) in their four matches at the global showpiece.

Valetini is the latest in a legendary list of loose forwards to win the prestigious award, which includes the likes of Michael Hooper, David Pocock and George Smith.

“It’s crazy because I used to watch all those players when I was growing up,” said Valetini.

“To play alongside the likes of ‘Poey’ and ‘Hoops’, it’s surreal. Truly honoured to join them.”

Valetini had to be satisfied with a second-place finish behind Koroibete in 2022, just 32 votes behind the Wallabies flyer.

Winning the 2024 John Eales Medal continues Valetini’s rapid rise to the top. He madehis debut just before the 2019 World Cup against Samoa but wasn’t part of the Wallabies squad which participated at the global showpiece in Japan that year.

Since then, he has cemented his place in the Wallabies squad and has won 39 Test caps since then.

He was also part of the Brumbies squad which won the 2020 Super Rugby AU title, coming off the bench to secure the 28-23 win over the Reds in the final.