Len Ikitau has become the first centre to claim the John Eales Medal after being crowned at the Rugby Australia Awards.
The 27-year-old has claimed the honour as the Wallabies Player of the Year after an excellent 12 months in the gold jersey, establishing himself as one of the best in the world.
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Ikitau bested fellow nominees Fraser McReight and captain Harry Wilson, who were unveiled as the finalists on the night.
“I think this is probably one of the best years that I've enjoyed in the Wallabies jersey. In terms of the way we've been playing, the way that we want to play, it's just been exciting," Ikitau said.
“Obviously, there's been a few games where we've lost, but overall, I've enjoyed my time this year.”
He started in 13 games across the period, shifting to inside centre after the debut of Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, who was named Rookie of the Year.
Throughout this time, Ikitau was reliably one of the Wallabies’ best, setting a famous comeback win over England with his signature flick pass to put Max Jorgensen over for the Try of the Year.
“I think that game was kind of the turning point for us," Ikitau said.
“We were coming off pretty much a poor Rugby Championship, and we wanted to start fast.
"That was a crazy game to be a part of. Then we just built some momentum off the back of that.”
In winning the award, the Brumby becomes the second back (Marika Koroibete) in the past eight years to win the award, with club teammate Rob Valetini’s bid for a three-peat dashed by injury.
Ikitau is currently in England, preparing to make his debut for Premiership side Exeter as part of his sabbatical.
The centre will miss the Tests against Japan and likely England under World Rugby’s reg nine laws, before returning to face Italy, France and Ireland.
In further awards on the night, flanker Carlo Tizzano claimed Super Rugby Player of the Year, becoming the first player from the Western Force to win the award.
It came off the back of a season that saw Tizzano break the competition record for most tries by a forward.
Meanwhile, Sevens and Australia U20s duo Sid Harvey and Aden Ekanayake took out Junior Men’s Player of the Year.
The two shared the honours after starring on the SVNS circuit, before helping the Australia U20s to a sixth place finish at the World U20 Championships.
