Back-rower becomes just third man to win back-to-back awardsMaya Stewart crowned Wallaroos’ player of the year
Rob Valetini says he feels blessed after joining Australian rugby royalty as a dual John Eales medallist. Valetini was crowned the Wallabies’ player of the year at a glittering function at Royal Randwick race course on Wednesday night, the dynamic back-rower joining Israel Folau (2014-15) and Michael Hooper (2020-21) as only the third man to go back-to-back.
The 26-year-old is also the sixth player to win the prestigious gong on multiple occasions, with 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.
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