Wallabies Star Len Ikitau Wins John Eales Medal After ‘exciting’ Year

Wallabies prima Len Ikitau has won nan John Eales Medal, becoming nan first centre to declare Australian rugby’s highest individual honour.

Ikitau enjoyed a phenomenal twelvemonth successful nan golden jersey, opening nan voting play successful spectacular style by delivering the magical match-winning flick pass to Max Jorgensen successful Australia’s epic triumph complete England astatine Twickenham past November.

Nicknamed “Flickitau” ever since, nan 48-Test midfield linchpin ended nan voting play by topping the Rugby Championship successful effort assists to go nan first centre to triumph nan badge since it was introduced successful 2002.

Ikitau edged retired chap nominees flanker Fraser McReight and skipper Harry Wilson, who were unveiled arsenic nan different short-listed finalists astatine Friday night’s ceremonial astatine Sydney’s Town Hall.

“This is astir apt 1 of nan champion years that I’ve enjoyed successful nan Wallabies jersey. In position of nan measurement we’ve been playing, nan measurement that we want to play, it’s conscionable been exciting,” Ikitau said.

“There’s been a fewer games wherever we’ve mislaid but, overall, I’ve enjoyed my clip this year.”

Back-rower Tabua Tuinakauvadra was besides crowned Wallaroos subordinate of nan twelvemonth for nan first clip astatine Australian rugby’s nighttime of nights.

Tuinakauvadra enjoyed a breakout Pacific Four Series tourney earlier starring successful her maiden Rugby World Cup, helping nan Wallaroos to nan quarter-finals. Faith Nathan and James Turner were besides first-time winners arsenic they claimed nan Shawn Mackay Awards for nan women’s and men’s sevens players of nan year.

Code-crossing superstar Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii’s first play culminated pinch him named rookie of nan year, nan 22-year-old excelling for some nan NSW Waratahs and Wallabies.

Western Force flanker Carlo Tizzano captured nan Australian Super Rugby Pacific subordinate of nan twelvemonth title, while Waratahs prima Georgina Friedrichs was named Super Rugby’s women’s subordinate of nan year.

Test awesome George Smith was inducted to nan Wallabies Hall of Fame, and Tui Ormsby into nan Australian women’s rugby Hall of Fame connected Friday night.