Sponsored by RUPA's long-standing partners, BDO, The lunch will be held at the Fullerton Hotel on Thursday December 4th 2025. The Lunch recognises the importance of player development, both on and off the field, and highlights the role that education and career growth play in supporting players throughout and beyond their professional careers.
It is one of the few occasions where generations of rugby unite to acknowledge excellence, share stories, strengthen connections and honour those who have helped shape the game. This year’s lunch will also host the presentation of the 2025 BDO RUPA Awards, celebrating outstanding contributions across leadership, personal growth and development.
Finalists for each award listed below:
Presented by: BDO
Awarded to the player who demonstrates outstanding on-field performance, strong leadership, meaningful off-field contribution, and overall excellence in Australian rugby.
Finalists:
- Allan Alaalatoa
- Tom Hooper
- Langi Gleeson
- Harry Wilson
- Triston Reilly
- Filipo Daugunu
- Tom Robertson
- Harry Potter
Presented by: Buildcorp
Awarded to the player who exemplifies leadership, elite performance, professionalism, and meaningful contribution to the growth of the women’s game, on and off the field.
Finalists:
- Tabua Tuinakauvadra
- Faliki Pohiva
- Anneka Stephens
- Siokapesi Palu
- Trilleen Pomare
- Georgina Friedrichs
- Eva Karpani
- Shalom Sauaso
Presented by: Robert Walters
Celebrates players who demonstrate outstanding commitment to their studies or education while balancing the demands of professional rugby.
Finalists:
- Nicole Ledington
- Josh Nasser
- Corey Toole
- Hugh Sinclair
- Tatum Bird
- Nick Champion de Crespigny
- Liam Wright
- Rory Scott
Presented by: Lion
Celebrates the player who has made a significant positive impact on their community through volunteering, advocacy, charity work or mentorship.
Finalists:
- Fergus Lee Warner
- Harry McLaughlin-Phillips
- Tom Hooper
- Luke Reimer
- Brittany Merlo
- Jeremy Williams
- Ollie Sapsford
- Jack Debreczeni
Presented by: Citation Legal
Awarded to the emerging player who has made the most significant on-field impact in their first season, demonstrating strong potential, professionalism and long-term promise.
Finalists:
- Dre Pakeho
- Lachlan Shaw
- Mackenzie Davis
- Jamie Adamson
- Manu’a Moleka
- Seneti Kilisimasi
- Aden Ekanayake
- Albert Alcock
- Ngamihi Monk
Presented by: RUPA
The inaugural RUPA Vocational Achievement Award is designed to recognise alternate pathways in career training and development that exist outside of formal tertiary education. It recognises those who have not come from traditional academic backgrounds and others who have sought opportunities to develop themselves through industry initiatives. It reflects an increasing emphasis for RUPA members to increase their career readiness while still playing.
Finalists:
- Dylan Pietsch
- Lawson Creighton
- Gabby Peterson
- Trilleen Pomare
- Connor Vest
- Bree-Anna Brown
- Jack Debreczeni
Presented by: RUPA
This award recognises a player who exemplifies exceptional leadership. They are an inspiring figure, consistently demonstrating integrity, mentorship, and a deep commitment to rugby's values of humility, teamwork, adaptability, and respect. This individual is crucial in fostering team cohesion and contributing to success, leading by example in competition and supporting their peers off the field, they truly embody the spirit of rugby leadership.
Finalists:
- Harry Wilson
- Emily Chancellor
- James Slipper
- Darcy Swain
- Siokapesi Palu
- Anneka Stephens
- Lori Cramer
Presented by: Taylors Wine
Recognises the player in the national Sevens program who has displayed exceptional performance, consistency, leadership and contribution to the squad. Voted by the players.
Finalists:
- Maddison Levi
- Mackenzie Davis
- Faith Nathan
- Kahli Henwood
- Sariah Paki
- Isabella Nasser
Presented by: Gallagher Insurance
Acknowledges the player who has excelled through performance, professionalism, leadership and meaningful contribution to the team environment. Voted by the players.
Finalists:
- Matthew Gonzalez
- Henry Hutchison
- Aden Ekanayake
- Maurice Longbottom
- James Turner
- Jayden Blake
