How Wallaby Rob Valetini reacted to winning another John Eales Medal

On Rugby Australia’s night of nights, Rob Valetini made history by becoming just the third man to win back-to-back John Eales Medals. Valetini joins an exclusive club with only Michael Hooper and Israel Folau by achieving the feat, having won it for the first time in February.

Following three hours of awards, food and even some Cadbury chocolate, the Rugby Australia Awards at Sydney’s Randwick Racecourse reached the final accolade of the night. The highly prestigious John Eales Medal recognises the Wallabies’ Player of the Year.

Wallabies captain Harry Wilson, Fraser McReight and Valetini were all up for the coveted prize, which is truly incredible in itself considering they’re all backrowers. While any of that trio would’ve been worthy winners, Valetini’s name was read out around 10:00 pm.

Valetini has started all nine matches under Joe Schmidt’s coaching reign so far, which included a start at No. 8 in the first Test before switching to blindside flanker. As always, the 26-year-old has been destructive on both sides of the world, and he was received as a worthy winner.

After getting up on stage to speak in front of the hundreds of people in attendance – including former Prime Minister John Howard and many Australian rugby greats – Valetini walked into a room up the hall where photographers and about five journalists met him.

Humble is the first word that comes to mind when looking back at the 14 minutes of questions and answers that followed. Valetini has joined an exclusive club by winning this word, but he remains focused on “putting rugby in Australia in a better place.”

“I wouldn’t be able to do this without my teammates, them doing their jobs, and obviously the coaching staff as well for backing me to go out there and play my game,” Valetini told reporters, with the John Eales Medal draped around his neck.

“I’m not one to really chase medals or anything. I just love rugby and I put it down to my training, just being consistent through there, or trying to be. But I also put it down to people behind the doors who help me and make a lot of sacrifices for me to be able to do what I do.

“I have to thank my family and my partner as well. I’m grateful for what they do behind the scenes to allow me to play for my nation.

“… I think it’s a motivator,” he added later. “Motivating me just to lead with my actions. With this medal, you’re looked upon as up there and that’s always something I always want to do is try and lead with my actions.

“I know that I’ve got the boys beside me that always help me out there. We’ve got a great group of boys at the moment that have just been training and been patient as well.

“Keen to get over there and play against the European nations. They’re all quite strong and we’ll be backing ourselves, 100 per cent.”

Valetini has been a colossus for the Wallabies once again in 2024, and the men in gold will need their prized loose forward to perform once again if they’re to shock some of the world’s best teams during the coming weeks.

The Wallabies’ Spring Tour is about to get underway. They fly out to Europe on Thursday before facing England at Allianz Stadium in Twickenham in just over one week, before then coming up against Wales, Scotland and Ireland.

Will Skelton and Samu Kerevi are back in the mix with the Wallabies for the first time under coach Schmidt, and marquee Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii could potentially make an impact as well. But if the John Eales Medal has shown anything, it’s that Valetini is the Wallabies’ main man.

“The boys are feeling refreshed. We’ve had a couple of weeks off but training in our states. I think the boys would be keen to get over there,” Valetini explained.

“A lot of boys haven’t been over there to play rugby, and it’s an experience to play in (front of) such big crowds and great atmospheres.

“These are the games you want to be in, the games over there against the European teams and prove yourself to the world pretty much.”