Len Ikitau wins Wallabies’ highest honour
Ikitau surprisingly missed out on being named in Eddie Jones’ squad for the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
“It’s been a great journey. This is probably one of the best years I’ve enjoyed in the Wallabies jersey in terms of the way we played. You know, the way we wanted to play. It’s just been exciting,” he said.
“That (England) game [was] It’s a turning point for us. We were coming off a pretty bad rugby championship and wanted to start fast. This was a crazy game to be a part of. And then we gained some momentum off the back of that.
Len Ikitau looks to break through the Lions defence.Credit: Getty Images
Ikitau said he was initially nervous about moving to number 12 after seeing himself solely as an outside centre. But with his new role requiring him to be an “extra backrower” in the attacking 22, he has relished the ability to influence games.
“Honestly, I prefer the try assist to the try. I’m not lying there,” he said. “I celebrate a lot more when I set someone up and I think it feels better than making a go.”
Ikitau said the lack of selection in 2023 created a fire in the stomach after years of being ranked 13th.
Rob Valetini’s run of two consecutive John Eales medals has ended after the great back-rower missed most of the Australian winter with a calf injury.
Others competing for the award were captain Harry Wilson and winger Fraser McReight.
Suaalii was named rookie of the year after an impressive first year with the Wallabies.
Tabua Tuinakavadura poses with the Wallaroos Player of the Year Award.Credit: Getty Images for Rugby Australia
Orange backrower Tabua Tuinakauvadra was recognized as the Wallaroos’ best player after strong campaigns in the Pacific Four series and the Rugby World Cup, which saw Australia reach the quarter-finals.
Western Force winger Carlo Tizzano won the Super Rugby Pacific Player of the Year title and Waratahs center Georgina Friedrichs was crowned Super Rugby Women’s Player of the Year.
Faith Nathan and James Turner won the Shawn Mackay award for best women’s and men’s sevens player, while Australian sevens rookie Mackenzie Davis also won the young women’s player award. Aden Ekanayake and Sid Harvey couldn’t stay apart and became joint winners of the young men’s award.
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George Smith and Tui Ormsby have been inducted into the Wallabies Hall of Fame and the Australian women’s Hall of Fame respectively.
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