It’s a night when Australian rugby players swap their jerseys for suits and fancy dresses in an evening to celebrate the game of rugby in Australia.
With 22 awards presented this year, the annual John Eales Medal, jointly hosted by RUPA and the ARU, recognises players, fans and integral members of the rugby community.
Israel Folau topped the players tally to win the ultimate gong, the John Eales medal. But here’s a look at some of the other players who won at rugby’s night of nights this year.
U20’s Player of the Year, Super Rugby Rookie of the Year & Buildcorp NRC Player of the Series – Sean McMahon
Talk about a breakout year, Sean McMahon was recognised for his stellar season with a hat trick of awards including the U20’s Player of the Year Award, Super Rugby Rookie of the Year Award and Buildcorp NRC Player of the Series.
In seasons past, Sean would have found himself competing in the Men’s Sevens category, but after making the decision to sign with the Melbourne Rebels this year he hasn’t looked back.
His dominant form in the Super 15 was put on hold during the middle of the season, after he was selected to captain his country’s Under 20s side at the IRB Junior World Championships.
Leading from the front, Sean steered the young Australian team to a fifth placed finish – a massive improvement on recent years. Sean has also been a key member of the Melbourne Rising’s undefeated NRC campaign thus far, with the team showing plenty of promise ahead of the 2015 Super Rugby season.
Under 20s Player of the Year nominees: Jim Stewart, Rowen Perry, Sean McMahon
Winner: Sean McMahon
Buildcorp NRC Player of the Series nominees - Sean McMahon (Melbourne Rising), Samu Kerevi (Brisbane City), Tala Grey (NSW Country Eagles), Jarrad Butler (UC Viking), Jack Debreczeni (Melbourne Rising)
Winner: Sean McMahon (Melbourne Rising)
Super Rugby Rookie of the Year nominees - Adam Coleman (Western Force), Alofa Alofa (NSW Waratahs), Samu Kerevi (Queensland Reds), JP Smith (ACT Brumbies), Sean McMahon (Melbourne Rebels)
Winner: Sean McMahon (Melbourne Rebels)
Qantas Men’s Sevens Player of the Year – Cam Clark
Young speedster Cam Clark took out the Men’s Sevens Player of the Year Award for 2014, after playing a starring role in the 2013/14 World Series.
The man known as the ‘Prince’ has become an integral part of the Australian’s attack and is a reliable source of blistering pace. At just 21 years of age, the recent Gold Coast Sevens tournament was already his 17th World Series Event.
Under the watchful eye of new coach Geraint John, expect Cam Clark to play a leading role in the 2014/15 World Series and, hopefully, the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Qantas Men’s Seven’s Player of the Year nominees: Con Foley, Ed Jenkins, Cameron Clark, Greg Jeloudev, Jesse Parahi
Winner: Cameron Clark
The Shawn Mackay Award & Women’s Sevens Player of the Year – Emilee Cherry
The Shawn Mackay Award Qantas Sevens Player of the Year is presented to the national Sevens player that demonstrates commitment to the National Sevens Program and a high-level of sportsmanship and leadership in the game of rugby Sevens in Australia.
This significant honour was named after the late Shawn Mackay who was a distinguished member of the Men’s Sevens team, rising to Captain the squad and proudly serving in this role during the 2006 Commonwealth Games held in Melbourne.
While in the Sevens program, Shawn also coached the Women’s Sevens team in 2008, leading them to the Oceania title. In winning the tournament, they gained qualification into the IRB World Cup Sevens tournament, of which they were victorious.
There weren’t any surprises for this one, as Emilee Cherry capped a massive season by being named the winner of the Shawn Mackay Award and the Women’s Sevens Player of the Year. She may have to make some room in the trophy cabinet though, after also picking up the 2013/14 IRB Women's Sevens World Series Player of the Year and Top Try Scorer of the season (33 tries) earlier this year.
Proving the difference in the Aussie’s two Cup wins last season, and helping them to a second place finish on the World Series standings, the Shawn Mackay Award at Australian rugby's night of nights really was the cherry atop the cake.
Women’s Player of the Year nominees: Emilee Cherry (Sevens), Charlotte Caslick (Sevens), Sharni Williams (Wallaroos and Sevens), Louise Burrows (Wallaroos), Shannon Parry (Wallaroos and Sevens)
Winner: Emilee Cherry (Sevens)
Super Rugby Try of the Year – Scott Higginbotham
The national Super Rugby Awards were thrown into this year’s John Eales Medal mix. One of the awards in this category is presented to the player who scored the Try of the Year during the Super Rugby season.
This year it went to Melbourne Rebels Captain, Scott Higginbotham. The man they call ‘Higgers’ was on the end of an extraordinary team try by the Rebels, who went coast to coast at home against the Cheetahs.
After already setting up a try earlier with a cross-field kick, Higgers proved that the number on your back means nothing, when he threw in a goosestep for good measure on his way to a textbook try in the corner.
With the ball going through 10 different sets of hands, including one coming from a bumbling Cheetah, it was an outstanding team try.
To check out the try, and Scotty Higginbotham’s audacious cross-field kick, click here.
Super Rugby Try of the Year nominees: Israel Folau (v Western Force), Bernard Foley (v ACT Brumbies), Kurtley Beale (v Queensland Reds), Scott Higginbotham (v Cheetahs), Ben McCalman (v Queensland Reds)
Winner: Scott Higginbotham (v Cheetahs)
Super Rugby Player, Super Rugby Team & Super Rugby Coach of the Year - Israel Folau, Michael Hooper, the NSW Waratahs & Michael Cheika
It was a hugely successful year for the boys in sky blue who were triumphant throughout the season.
Not only did they record their first ever Super Rugby Championship victory in front of a packed house at ANZ Stadium, beating the stalwart Crusaders in a thrilling display of rugby, they also equalled their Club record of 10 consecutive wins at home, set in 2008-09.
It was Head Coach, Michael Cheika’s second year with the team, but with his passionate and characteristic style of leadership, he managed to transport the Tahs from the depths of booing despair to a season of victories that made any New South Welshman proud. Read more about new Wallabies Head Coach, Michael Cheika.
As a team they scored the most tries, 60, ahead of the Brumbies, with 54 and Hurricanes, 49. They tallied the most clean breaks, 171, which was miles ahead the Hurricanes, on 145 and the Crusaders, on 143.
They dominated in ball carries too, with a total of 2,389, again well ahead of the pack, with the Chiefs next on 2,004 followed by the Hurricanes on 1,984.
They made a whopping 9,379 metres, in front of the next-placed Hurricanes on 7,984 and Crusaders on 7,910. They were also top of the team rankings for defenders beaten (384) and offloads (258).
Israel Folau and Michael Hooper were jointly awarded the Super Rugby Player of the Year Award after both providing a top mix of special talent and reliability for the NSW Waratahs in the 2014 season.
Israel Folau recorded the most amount of tries in the Super Rugby season this year, tied with Crusaders’ talent, Nemani Nadolo. Folau topped the offload count on 52, which was 24 ahead of second placed Crusader Israel Dagg.
Super Rugby Player of the Year nominees: Bernard Foley (NSW Waratahs), Matt Toomua (ACT Brumbies), Israel Folau (NSW Waratahs), Michael Hooper (NSW Waratahs), Matt Hodgson (Western Force)
Winner: Israel Folau and Michael Hooper (NSW Waratahs)
Australia’s Choice Player of the Year – Michael Hooper
The Australia’s Choice Qantas Wallaby of the Year Award, as voted by the Australian public, went to fan favourite, Michael Hooper.
The man they call ‘Hoops’ had a standout year as the newly appointed Wallabies captain, and continued the form that saw him awarded the John Eales Medal in 2013.
A workhorse around the field and a lumberjack in defence, Michael has shown experience well beyond his years in leading the Australian team to a series victory over the French and crucial wins against the Pumas and Springboks.
It’s been a busy year for the Wallabies number seven, who also found the time to complete an Advanced Diploma of Management.
Australia’s Choice – Qantas Wallaby of the Year nominees: Adam Ashley-Cooper, Matt Toomua, Israel Folau, Michael Hooper, James Slipper
Winner: Michael Hooper
Qantas Wallabies Try of the Year – Rob Horne (v South Africa in Perth)
Rob Horne was awarded Try of the Year for the five-pointer he secured to help seal the Wallabies one-point victory against the Springboks in Perth during this year’s Rugby Championship.
It was another impressive and much-needed team try. At the 77th minute of the game Australia were trailing by 17 – 23. South Africa had just won a penalty but failed to find touch. The Wallabies made the most of the situation.
They went left to Bernard Foley before backs, Kurtley Beale, Israel Folau and Tevita Kuridrani, passed down the line to find Rob Horne. Horne made a beautiful step inside to score a brilliant try and bring the Men in Gold within one of the Springboks.
Bernard Foley stepped up once again to successfully secure the conversion enabling the Wallabies to officially etch a W on the match with a last-gasp 24-23 one point victory.
Qantas Wallaby Try of the Year nominees: Michael Hooper (v France in Sydney), Nick Cummins (v France in Brisbane), Kurtley Beale (v France in Brisbane), Rob Horne (v South Africa in Perth), Michael Hooper (v France in Brisbane)
Winner: Rob Horne (v South Africa in Perth)
Qantas Wallabies Rookie of the Year – Sam Carter
With a number of sensational debutant players this year, the nominees for Wallabies Rookie of the Year provided a tough field that many would find difficult to pick a stand-alone winner.
But it was 25 year old Brumbies’ lock, Sam Carter who took out the Rookie Award this year after his first stint in the Gold jersey. Carter commenced his international campaign in Australia’s very first Test for the year, the opening match against the French in the three-Test series.
Following in his father’s footsteps, Classic Wallaby David Carter, Sam became Wallaby number 879.
Having started in the number 4 jersey in every Australian Test since, Carter’s dependable work rate has provided a welcome benefactor for the Men in Gold this year.
Interesting to note, the last two players to win the Wallabies’ Rookie of the Year, Michael Hooper and Israel Folau, both went on to win the John Eales Medal the next year. Watch this space!
Qantas Wallabies Rookie of the Year nominees: Sam Carter, Laurie Weeks, Luke Jones, Will Skelton, Nathan Charles, Jake Schatz
Winner: Sam Carter
RUPA would like to congratulate all of last nights Award winners and wish the Wallabies all the best for their upcoming European Spring Tour.
