2016 RLPA Player Awards
14th Sep 2016
Cody Walker - RLPA Rookie of the Year
Cody Walker was last night (Tuesday) named Rookie of the Year at the Rugby League Players' Association awards presentation night. Walker made his NRL debut with the South Sydney Rabbitohs in Round 1, 2016 against the Sydney Roosters. At 26 years old, the versatile player made an impact in Souths attack taking on a number roles in the backline including five-eighth, halfback, fullback and wing.
Greg Inglis - RLPA Male Representative Player of the Year
Rabbitohs Skipper Greg Inglis was last night (Tuesday) honoured with the Male Representative Player Of The Year Award by the Rugby League Players Association at their awards night for his outstanding form playing for Australia and the Queensland Maroons in 2016. Inglis, a veteran of 35 Australian matches, 30 Origin clashes for the Maroons and 4 Indigenous All Star appearances, picked up the award at Tuesday's ceremony to receive the first of two awards won by your Rabbitohs on the night. It is easy to see why Inglis is held in such high regard by his NRL peers after kicking off 2016 by captaining the Indigenous All Stars in their tight and thrilling loss to the NRL All Stars in February. GI's leadership as a senior Representative player is a chief factor behind his popularity among his peers on the elite stage with Indigenous All Stars and NSW Blues Coach Laurie Daley explaining; "He's really vocal around the group and is a guy that has got a lot of respect out there," "He's one of those guys that when he talks everyone listens and that's good because he's developed into a really good leader and someone that the guys really enjoy playing with." Following this Inglis was integral to the Australian Kangaroos' success over New Zealand in the ANZAC Test at Hunter Stadium - Scoring a try and making 183 metres with the ball in hand, 10 tackles, seven tackle busts and two line-breaks. Kangaroos Coach Mal Meninga was effusive in his praise for Inglis after the ANZAC Test. “It’s been a great week – limited preparation, attitude is fantastic, passion for the green and gold from everybody including Greg," said Meninga. Capping this off Inglis managed to help Queensland to a State of Origin win in 2016, scoring a try in his 30th appearance for the Maroons - A big deal in the Origin arena says Queensland U20s coach Kurt Wrigley. “They have a ‘30 Club’ and recognise the guys who have played 30 Origins. It’s similar to playing 300 NRL games in our eyes. It’s huge," said Wrigley. Congratulations Greg!