Wallabies backrower Rob Valetini has made it back-to-back John Eales Medals after taking out the 2024 honour on Wednesday.
Valetini bested fellow backrowers Fraser McReight and Harry Wilson for the honour after a big season in the gold jersey.
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He becomes the third player to win consecutive John Eales Medals alongside Michael Hooper and Israel Folau.
The 26-year-old has established himself as one of the premier backrowers in World Rugby.
Valetini featured in every game for the Wallabies in 2024, moving to blindside flanker after the second Wales Test.
He finished the season with six turnovers win to go with 78 tackles and countless carries over the advantage line when the Wallabies needed it the most.
Valetini joins the likes of Hooper, Folau, Koroibete, David Pocock, Nathan Sharpe and George Smith to win multiple John Eales Medals.
"Blessed and grateful to have won the award," he told reporters.
"I wouldn't be able to do this without my teammates doing their jobs and the coaching staff for backing me to play my game."
It continues Valetini’s remarkable rise, finishing his last three seasons in the top two for voting for the Medal, only behind Marika Koroibete in 2022.
"I'm not the type of guy to chase medals," he said.
"I just love Rugby and I think I put it down to my training and being consistent through there and people who have helped me and make a lot of a sacrifices to make me who I am."
The Brumby narrowly missed out on claiming the double with the Super Rugby Pacific Player of the Year, falling short to Fraser McReight.
Valetini’s attention turns to the Spring Tour, with the Wallabies set to depart on Thursday.
It comes ahead of their opening Test against England on November 10, followed by clashes with Wales, Scotland and Ireland
