McReight, Lafai take out top honours at RUPA Awards

Thu, Dec 5, 2024, 4:55 AM
Nathan Williamson
by Nathan Williamson

Star duo Fraser McReight and Atasi Lafai were the big winners as the Rugby Union's Players Association announced their Award winners for 2024.

The pair took out their respective Medals for Excellence, voted on by players for those who excelled on and off the field.

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McReight is coming off an incredible season for club and country, claiming Super Rugby Pacific Player of the Year at the RA Awards.

The flanker was also nominated for the John Eales Medal despite missing half the home Test season due to injury.

McReight was one of the Wallabies' best during the Spring Tour, helping the Australians to wins over England and Wales.

He beat out the likes of fellow Wallabies Jake Gordon, Tom Wright, Filipo Daugunu, Liam Wright, Ben Donaldson, and Rob Valetini.

As for Lafai, she claimed NSW Waratahs Super Rugby W Player of the Year after a great domestic season where the second-rower was named Player of the Final.

Lafai backed this up for the Wallaroos with nine appearances in 2024, including featuring in every WXV 2 game during their title-winning campaign.

Maddison Levi completed the clean sweep of Sevens awards with Women's Player of the Year, whilst Nick Malouf capped off his remarkable career with Men's Player of the Year.

Levi took out the Shawn Mackay Medal and World Rugby's Sevens Player of the Year after breaking the try-scoring record for the SVNS World Series and Olympics.

Meanwhile, Malouf was recognised by his peers after leading the Australian side to fourth at the Olympics, their highest ever finish.

Brumbies number eight Charlie Cale was awarded Newcomer of the Year as the standout player in their first full professional season.

Cale filled the void left by Pete Samu in the Brumbies' charge to the semi-finals, parlaying this into a maiden Wallabies debut and start during the July series against Wales.

The back-rower is joined by Andy Muirhead and Ed Kennedy as award winners, both taking out the Academic Excellence Award, whilst prop Blake Schopp claimed the Community Service Award

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