A
Set small text size

A
Set the default text size

A
Set large text size

Fresh from becoming the first Australian centre to take out the John Eales Medal, Len Ikitau has backed up the prestigious award by being named in World Rugby’s Dream Team of the Year – and he’s not the only Wallaby named in the XV either.

Indeed, Wallabies skipper Harry Wilson has also been named, edging out a swarm of top-tier players, including last year’s World Rugby player of the year, Ardie Savea, England’s Ben Earl, Ireland’s Caelan Doris and South Africa’s Jasper Wiese.

Wilson, who enjoyed a turbulent ride under Dave Rennie and didn’t play under Eddie Jones, emerged as a mainstay under Joe Schmidt in 2024.

As well as leading the Wallabies against the Lions and scoring twice in their incredible drought-breaking victory at Ellis Park over the Springboks, the No.8 missed just one Test in 2025 – the return match against the back-to-back world champions in Cape Town.

It was Wilson’s consistency, durability and leadership, which likely got him the nod over Wiese (suspension) and Doris (injury), who both enjoyed fine years, especially the tank-link South African. Savea, meanwhile, spent the bulk of the year at openside flanker.

Despite having a tough spring tour, where Wilson was penalised heavily against England and Italy, the Reds back-rower showed glimpses of his best against France as his hole-running game returned.

Indeed, he helped put Angus Bell through an early hole from the kick-off, before making a big linebreak against Les Bleus in the first half in Paris.

The selection of Ikitau was less of a surprise, with the midfielder a pillar of consistency, gain-line dominance and potency on both sides of the ball.

Although some pundits thought Ikitau would be picked at outside centre to allow for Springboks duo Damian de Allende or Damian Willemse to be picked, the World Rugby selection panel featuring Jacques Burger, Fiona Coghlan, Victor Matfield, Drew Mitchell, Ugo Monye, Sergio Parisse, Kieran Read and Blaine Scully, opted for the Australian. He was joined in the midfield by Scot Huw Jones.

While he was a fraction slow out of the blocks against the Lions in Brisbane, Ikitau worked his way into the series nicely and played a huge part in their win over the Springboks and against Argentina in Townsville.

He was also one of the Wallabies’ best against the All Blacks at Eden Park.

Despite missing the Tests against Japan, England and Italy, Ikitau made a welcome return for the final two matches of the year and scored against Ireland in Dublin.

Fellow Wallaby Fraser McReight would likely have been up for discussion after a fine season at No.7, but was edged out by England and Lions star Tom Curry. Savea, too, was one of the All Blacks’ best.

While Will Skelton, who helped turn the Lions series and was excellent in South Africa, would likely have had claims for selection had he been more available. The giant lock was limited to five Tests in 202, largely due to injury.

Unsurprisingly, the Dream Team was dominated by members of the world No.1 Springboks, with six of Rassie Erasmus’ stars named.

That included an all-Springboks front-row, with Ox Nche, Malcolm Marx and Thomas du Toit named.

The others were loose-forward Pieter-Steph du Toit, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Cheslin Kolbe.

England and Lions lock Maro Itoje and Ireland’s Tadhg Beirne form the second-row.

Du Toit, Curry and Wilson form the back-row.

While Cam Roigard likely edged out Cobus Reinach and Jamison Gibson-Park to be named the No.9. Feinberg-Mngomezulu was the flyhalf.

Ikitau and Jones form the midfield, while Louis Bielle-Biarrey was selected in a back three featuring Kolbe and New Zealand’s Will Jordan.

World Rugby Men’s 15s Dream Team of the Year 2025: 

Ox Nché (South Africa)Malcolm Marx (South Africa)Thomas du Toit (South Africa)Maro Itoje (England)Tadhg Beirne (Ireland)Pieter-Steph du Toit (South Africa)Tom Curry (England)Harry Wilson (Australia)Cam Roigard (New Zealand)Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (South Africa)Louis Bielle-Biarrey (France)Len Ikitau (Australia)Huw Jones (Scotland)Cheslin Kolbe (South Africa)Will Jordan (New Zealand)

World Rugby Awards 2025 recipients

World Rugby Men’s 15s Player of the Year: Malcolm Marx (South Africa)World Rugby Women’s 15s Player of the Year in partnership with HSBC: Sophie de Goede (Canada)World Rugby Men’s 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year: Fabian Holland (New Zealand)World Rugby Women’s 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year: Braxton Sorensen-McGee (New Zealand)World Rugby Coach of the Year: John Mitchell (England)World Rugby Referee Award in partnership with Emirates: Hollie Davidson (Scotland)International Rugby Players Association Special Merit Award: Dan Carter (New Zealand)International Rugby Players Association Men’s 15s Try of the Year: Santiago PedreroInternational Rugby Players Association Women’s 15s Try of the Year: Maia Joseph (New Zealand)