Fraser McReight has been awarded the John Eales Medal as Australian rugby’s player of the year, capping a standout season that saw him named Defender of the Year and become the first Queensland Reds player to claim the honour in two decades.
McReight received the game’s highest honour at the Rugby Australia awards in Sydney on Thursday night, based on votes submitted by Wallabies players after every Test match. He joins back-row greats including David Lyons, Phil Waugh, George Smith, Rob Valetini, David Pocock and four-time winner Michael Hooper.
McReight was also recognised for his defensive performances, particularly in the 16-point defeat to France in Brisbane in July, in which he scored two tries and made 19 tackles, with the Defender of the Year award. He is the first Queensland Reds player to win the John Eales Medal since Chris Latham 20 years ago.
Twenty-one-year-old inside centre Faitala Moleka was crowned Wallaroos Player of the Year, while Reds star Treyvon Pritchard was named rookie of the year. Junior Women’s Player of the Year went to 19-year-old Waiaria Ellis, and Junior Men’s Player of the Year to Australian U20 and NSW Waratahs prop Edwin Langi.
National team captains Isabella Nasser and Henry Hutchison took home the Shawn Mackay Awards for the Women’s and Men’s Sevens Player of the Year, respectively. Nasser led the Australian Women’s team to the World Championship title, while Hutchison guided the Men’s side to their first tournament win since 2023 when they claimed gold in Valladolid.
Japan-bound fullback Jock Campbell won Super Rugby Pacific Player of the Year after an outstanding year for the Reds, and ACT Brumbies and Wallaroos captain Siokapesi Palu Sekona was named Super Rugby Women’s Player of the Year. Amelia Whitaker was named women’s rookie of the year after her first season for the Wallaroos.
The Peter Meagher Spirit of Rugby Award, rebranded in honour of the late Randwick figure who was among 15 people killed in the Bondi Beach terrorist attack last year, was awarded to Brisbane Junior Rugby Union Western Region chair Paula Watkins for her dedication to the community game. Nic Berry received the Referee of the Year Award.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- It marks the first time a Queensland Reds player has won the John Eales Medal since 2006, highlighting the state's resurgence in producing elite Wallabies talent.
- Fraser McReight's recognition underscores the continued strength of Australian back-row play, with the award going to an openside flanker for the first time in several years.
- The awards reflect depth across both men's and women's programs, with several young players (Moleka, Pritchard, Ellis, Langi) emerging as future national team pillars.
Background
The John Eales Medal has been awarded annually since 2002 to the Wallabies' best player, as voted by teammates after each Test. Previous winners include Michael Hooper (four times), David Pocock (twice), and Rob Valetini (twice). The Peter Meagher Spirit of Rugby Award was rebranded this year to honour Peter 'Marzo' Meagher, a beloved Randwick rugby figure killed in the 2025 Bondi Beach terrorist attack.
Key Perspectives
Fraser McReight: The Wallabies back-rower has developed an accomplished all-around game, establishing himself as one of the best openside breakaways in world rugby. A ferocious competitor at the breakdown, he has played some of his best rugby when the Wallabies are under pressure.
Rugby Australia: Honoured the late Peter Meagher by rebranding the Spirit of Rugby Award in his name, recognising his outstanding service to the game.
Award winners: Queensland Rugby Union's Paula Watkins was recognised for her dedication and tireless support for community rugby, while Nic Berry received the Referee of the Year Award for his work over 41 Tests in ten years.
What to Watch
- How McReight's form carries into the 2027 Rugby World Cup year, where he will be expected to lead the Wallabies' forward pack.
- The development of Moleka, Pritchard, and Ellis as they push for regular Wallaroos and Wallabies selection.
- Whether Jock Campbell's Japan move affects his availability for future Wallabies camps.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
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- SupportedFraser McReight won the John Eales Medal as Australia’s best rugby player.WA Today - Latest News: “Fraser McReight has won the John Eales Medal as Australian rugby’s best player of the year”
- SupportedMcReight received the top honour at the Rugby Australia awards.WA Today - Latest News: “McReight received the game’s highest honour at the Rugby Australia awards in Sydney on Thursday night”
- SupportedFaitala Moleka was named Wallaroos Player of the Year.WA Today - Latest News: “21-year-old inside centre Faitala Moleka was crowned Wallaroos Player of the Year”
- SupportedTreyvon Pritchard was named rookie of the year.WA Today - Latest News: “Reds star Treyvon Pritchard named rookie of the year”
- SupportedMcReight was named Defender of the Year.WA Today - Latest News: “Defender of the Year - Fraser McReight, Wallabies vs. France, Brisbane”
- SupportedMcReight was the first Queensland Reds player to win the John Eales Medal since Chris Latham 20 years earlier.WA Today - Latest News: “McReight has also become the first Queensland Reds player to claim a John Eales medal since former Wallabies fullback Chris Latham 20 years ago.”
- SupportedThe medal is based on votes submitted by Wallabies players after every Test match.WA Today - Latest News: “The John Eales medal is based on votes submitted by Wallabies players after every Test match.”
- SupportedAgainst France in Brisbane in July, McReight scored two tries and made 19 tackles in a 16-point defeat.WA Today - Latest News: “particularly in the 16-point defeat to France in Brisbane in July , in which he scored two tries as well as making 19 tackles”
- SupportedMichael Hooper won the John Eales Medal four times.WA Today - Latest News: “former captain Michael Hooper, who won the award a record four times.”
- SupportedNineteen-year-old Waiaria Ellis won Junior Women’s Player of the Year.WA Today - Latest News: “19-year-old Waiaria Ellis picked up Junior Women’s Player of the Year”
- SupportedHenry Hutchison guided the Men’s side to its first tournament win since 2023, winning gold in Valladolid.WA Today - Latest News: “Hutchison ... guided the Men’s side to their first tournament win since 2023 when they claimed gold in Valladolid.”
- SupportedPaula Watkins received the Peter Meagher Spirit of Rugby Award for her dedication to community rugby.WA Today - Latest News: “Brisbane Junior Rugby Union Western Region chair Paula Watkins was honoured with the inaugural Peter Meagher Spirit of Rugby Award, in recognition of her dedication and tireless support for the community game.”