![\"Len](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/64d187fab40770eb59d07da1a821ebbe24b58351.jpeg\")
<\/p>\nIkitau astonishingly missed selection in Eddie Jones\u2019 squad for the Rugby World Cup in 2023.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been an awesome journey. This is probably one of the best years that I\u2019ve enjoyed in the Wallabies jersey, in terms of the way we\u2019ve been playing. You know, the way that we want to play. It\u2019s just been exciting,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat (England) game [was] the turning point for us. 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. And then, we kind of just built some momentum off the back of that.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Len Ikitau tries to charge through the Lions defence.Credit: Getty Images<\/p>\n
Ikitau said he\u2019d been initially nervous to move to No.12, after only ever considering himself an outside centre. But with a new role that involved him being \u201can extra backrower\u201d in the attacking 22, he relished the ability to influence games.<\/p>\n
\u201cI prefer a try assist over a try, to be honest. I\u2019m not lying there,\u201d he said. \u201cI celebrate a lot more when I set someone up, and I think it feels better than scoring a try.\u201d<\/p>\n
Missing selection in 2023 provided fire in the belly after years of being a first-picked No.13, Ikitau said.<\/p>\n
Rob Valetini\u2019s run of two consecutive John Eales medals came to an end, after the big backrower missed most of the Australian winter with a calf injury.<\/p>\n
Others who came into contention for the award were skipper Harry Wilson and flanker Fraser McReight.<\/p>\n
Suaalii was named rookie of the year after an impressive first year with the Wallabies.<\/p>\n
![\"Tabua](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/534915b9e7cc6d1f29ff3d5a6886fc2e36619dc9.jpeg\")
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Tabua Tuinakavadura poses with the Wallaroos Player of the Year Award.Credit: Getty Images for Rugby Australia<\/p>\n
Orange-raised back-rower Tabua Tuinakauvadra was recognised as the best player in the Wallaroos, after strong campaigns in the Pacific Four series and the Rugby World Cup, where Australia made the quarter-finals.<\/p>\n
Western Force flanker Carlo Tizzano won the Super Rugby Pacific Player of the Year title, and Waratahs centre Georgina Friedrichs claimed the Super Rugby Women\u2019s Player of the Year.<\/p>\n
Faith Nathan and James Turner won the Shawn Mackay awards for the best women\u2019s and men\u2019s sevens players, and Aussie sevens rookie Mackenzie Davis won the junior women\u2019s player award. Aden Ekanayake and Sid Harvey couldn\u2019t be split and were joint winners for the junior men\u2019s award.<\/p>\n
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George Smith and Tui Ormsby were inducted into the Wallabies Hall of Fame and Australian women\u2019s Hall of Fame respectively.<\/p>\n