It was a case of dress and elegance as some of the country’s best football players showed off glitz and glamor at the Rugby Australia Awards in Sydney on Wednesday night.
Defender Rob Valetini hit the biggest gong on the night when he won the John Eales Medal as Wallabies player of the year for the second consecutive season; Maddison Levi won the honor of women’s Sevens player and starred on the red carpet in a striking dress with a very daring cut.
She was joined in fashion by her Seven teammate Charlotte Caslick in a figure-hugging dress and Wallaroos star Desiree Miller in a striking red backless dress.
Sevens try-scoring machine Faith Nathan also cut a striking figure as she arrived with her rugby star boyfriend Matt Gonzalez, and teammate Teagan Levi dazzled in a black ensemble.
After the ceremony, Valetini said he feels blessed after joining Australian rugby royalty with double John Eales medal.
The dynamic defender joined current greats Israel Folau (2014-15) and Michael Hooper (2020-21) as the third man to do so consecutively.
The 26-year-old is also the sixth player to win the prestigious gong on multiple occasions, joining George Smith (2002, 2008), Nathan Sharpe (2007, 2012), David Pocock (2010, 2018), Folau (2014, 2015 ). , 2017), Hooper (2013, 2016, 2020, 2021) and Marika Koroibete (2019, 2022), the others to achieve the feat.
“Blessed and grateful to have won the award,” Valetini told reporters.
Maddison Levi took home the award for best Australian rugby sevens player on Wednesday night, and also triumphed on the red carpet.
Wallaroos star Desiree Miller was also on the most dressed and beautiful list as she made her entrance at the glittering ceremony at Sydney’s Randwick Racecourse.
Sevens star Charlotte Caslick arrived in a striking figure-hugging dress.
“I couldn’t do this without my teammates doing their job and the coaching staff for supporting me to play my game.
‘I’m not the type of person who chases medals. “I love rugby and I think I attribute that to my training and being consistent there and the people who have helped me and made a lot of sacrifices to make me who I am.”
Voted 3-2-1 by his teammates, Valetini edged out Queensland Reds flanker Fraser McReight after enjoying another standout year for the Wallabies in 2024.
He featured in all nine Tests and will also surely play a key role in next month’s spring tour of the UK and Ireland, when the Wallabies have the chance to complete the legendary grand slam with Tests against England, Wales, Scotland and the best classified. Irish.
The ACT Brumbies enforcer wasn’t the only back-to-back award winner, with McReight defending his Super Rugby Pacific player of the year title, and Maddison Levi again named sevens player of the year.
Star soccer couple Faith Nathan and Mark Gonzalez also dazzled as they partied at Australian Rugby Union’s night of nights.
Pictured: Men’s and Women’s Players of the Year Maya Stewart and Rob Valetini
From left to right: stars Tia Hinds, Teagan Levi and Maddison Levi
Prolific NSW Waratahs winger Maya Stewart was crowned the Wallaroos player of the year after scoring nine tries in eight Tests and inspiring the team’s historic win at the WXV 2 tournament in South Africa.
Nathan Lawson received the Men’s Sevens Player of the Year award, while Brumbies captain Siokapesi Palu was named Super Rugby Player of the Year.
Exciting Reds winger Tim Ryan, 21, capped off his stellar season by taking home the rookie of the year award, along with try of the year for an electrifying solo effort against the Blues at Suncorp Stadium.
Australia under-20 captain Toby Macpherson was named junior men’s player of the year, and 18-year-old Caitlyn Halse picked up the junior women’s gong after securing the Wallaroos’ starting defender spot.
The Referee of the Year award went to Nic Berry, who, alongside his significant Test commitments, was appointed to referee the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific Final.
The awards night also saw Toutai Kefu and Matthew Burke inducted into the Wallabies Hall of Fame, and Selena Tranter (née Worsley), Cheryl McAfee (née Soon) and Emilee Barton (née Cherry) inducted into the Hall of Fame. Australian Women’s Rugby Fame.