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Brumbies player honoured by peers with Rupa Medal for Excellence
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Twenty-nine-year-old has been receiving treatment for leukaemia since August
Wallabies and Brumbies playmaker Christian Lealiifano has won Australia’s 2016 Rugby Union Players Association (RUPA) Medal for Excellence.
Lealiifano, who was diagnosed with leukaemia in August of this year has been undergoing treatment in Melbourne since August.
The 29-year-old was voted by his peers as the individual who has shown the best performance, leadership, consistency and discipline, both on and off the field, across the international and domestic rugby season.
Speaking via video from Melbourne, Leali’ifano thanked his peers and paid tribute to all of Australia’s professional Rugby players.
“I’m truly, truly humbled and honoured to receive such an Award,” he said.
“Congratulations to all of the other nominees; I feel like this is probably an award for all of us, and the great work we do in the community to grow the game around the country.”
Lealiifano thanked the Rugby community for their support since his illness was diagnosed.
“I want to thank everybody for all of their support through this journey this little man and I are on at the moment,” he said. “It definitely means a lot and we’re all so grateful for your thoughts and prayers.”
The RUPA Medal for Excellence was officially accepted on Christian’s behalf by his manager, former Queensland Reds star Clinton Schifcofske.