Rugby Australia to Name 2026 Award Winners

The national rugby body will reveal its annual award recipients this Thursday night.

Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Other Sports

Expressive editorial sports illustration showing a rugby ball in mid-flight with motion blur, rendered in gold and green. — Rugby Australia will unveil its 2026 award recipients this Thursday, capping off a year of high-level performance across the nation's professional rugby competitions. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Rugby Australia has announced the finalists for the 2026 awards season, with winners set to be unveiled this Thursday night. The ceremony marks the culmination of the 2026 rugby calendar for the nation.

Why it matters

The annual awards highlight the peak achievements of professional rugby players in Australia over the past year. Recognising excellence in both men's and women's competitions remains a central focus for the national organisation.

There are 3 finalists confirmed for the top men's game honour during the 2026 awards season. The Rookie of the Year award has been split into dedicated Men's and Women's categories to reflect participation growth.

The players

Rugby Australia

This is the governing body for the sport of rugby union in the country.

Nathan Sharpe

He is a former professional player who secured the John Eales Medal in 2012.

Maddison Levi

She is an elite rugby athlete who achieved award success in both 2023 and 2024.

The details

Award recipients will be announced across the organisation's social media platforms, with full coverage provided through a live blog on the official website. The event builds on a legacy of recognition that includes past winners such as Nathan Sharpe and recent multi-year awardee Maddison Levi.

2012: Nathan Sharpe won the John Eales Medal.
2023: Maddison Levi won an award.
2024: Maddison Levi won an award.
2026: The 2026 Rugby Australia Awards season.
Thursday night: The awards ceremony takes place.

Season Trajectory

The awards ceremony serves as the final formal event of the season, reflecting the professional standards maintained by Rugby Australia. It establishes the benchmark for individual performance as the sport prepares for the next training cycle.

Fans and followers can track the announcements in real-time through the dedicated live blog hosted on the official organisation website. The split categories for Rookie of the Year signify a shift in how the sport tracks emerging talent across gender divisions.

The takeaway

Following the awards, players often shift their focus toward off-season recovery and preparation for upcoming international fixtures. Supporters should keep an eye on official social channels for updates regarding new team rosters following the ceremony.