After a breakout year for the Wallabies, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii has been rewarded with a nomination for the World Rugby Men's 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year.
The nomination comes as part of the unveiling of World Rugby Awards 2025 men’s nominees, with the recipients set to be revealed across World Rugby’s digital platforms on Saturday, 22 November.
Watch every second of the 2025 Autumn Nations Series live and on demand via Stan Sport.
With the women’s awards all unveiled at the end of the 2025 Rugby World Cup in September, the men’s best players will similarly be confirmed following the final action of the November Internationals this weekend.
Each nominee has been voted for by the World Rugby Awards panel, which includes Jacques Burger, Fiona Coghlan, Victor Matfield, Drew Mitchell, Ugo Monye, Sergio Parisse, Kieran Read, and Blaine Scully.
Suaalii has been included alongside New Zealand’s Fabian Holland, South Africa’s Ethan Hooker, and England’s Henry Pollock in a tightly contested Men's 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year Award, which recognises emerging talents who have made a significant impact on the international stage.
The other two awards to round out the ceremony will be the World Rugby Men's 15s Player of the Year and International Rugby Players Men's 15s Try of the Year, with the latter being voted on by fans.
The Player of the Year will come with a distinctly South African flavour, with three of the four nominees in Pieter-Steph du Toit, Malcolm Marx, and Ox Nche being Springboks, while Louis Bielle-Biarrey of France completes the shortlist.
Among the contenders for Try of the Year are Santiago Cordero’s try for Los Pumas against the British & Irish Lions, and Lekima Tagitagivalu’s effort for Fiji against the Wallabies in Newcastle during the July internationals.
Following the three awards, the World Rugby Dream Team of the Year will be unveiled on Tuesday, 25 November.
“The World Rugby Awards represent a celebration of the very best our sport has to offer,” World Rugby Chair, Brett Robinson said in a statement.
“From breathtaking tries to breakthrough talents and inspirational leaders, this year’s nominees have shone brightly on the global stage in 2025, truly embodying the values and spirit of rugby.
“On behalf of World Rugby, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to each nominee for their remarkable contributions and achievements over the past year.
“Following the recognition of our women’s stars in September, I now look forward with great anticipation to announcing the winners and unveiling the Dream Team of the Year later this month, as we bring the year to a fitting and memorable close.”
International Rugby Players Men's 15s Try of the Year
- Santiago Cordero (Argentina, v British and Irish Lions – June)
- Santiago Pedrero (Chile, v Samoa, South America/Pacific Play-off, RWC 2027 qualifier – October)
- Lekima Tagitagivalu (Fiji, v Australia, men's international – July)
- Tupou Vaa'i (New Zealand, v France, men's international – July)
World Rugby Men's 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year
- Fabian Holland (New Zealand)
- Ethan Hooker (South Africa)
- Henry Pollock (England)
- Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (Australia)
World Rugby Men's 15s Player of the Year
- Louis Bielle-Biarrey (France)
- Pieter-Steph du Toit (South Africa)
- Malcolm Marx (South Africa)
- Ox Nche (South Africa)
