Christian Lealiifano’s performance at the World Cup has seen him shortlisted for a trophy at the 2020 Laureus World Sports Awards. After a three-year absence during which he was dealing with a leukaemia diagnosis, the player is in the running for Comeback of the Year.
The 32-year old, who currently plays with the NTT Communications Shining Arcs in Japan’s Top League, is in some good company. Global sports giants like British Tennis player Andy Murray, or Sir Andrew Barron Murray OBE as he is more formally known, American Basketball player Kawhi Lenoard of the NBA’s Los Angeles Clippers, and swimmer Nathan Adrian, also from the USA, have also all been nominated.
Lealiifano received his leukaemia diagnosis in 2016, just a few months after his son Jeremih was born. He underwent months of treatment for it, missing most of the Super Rugby season of 2017. But the flyhalf has made his return, playing some of the finest Rugby he ever has in recent seasons, which is why he was not just welcomed back by the Wallabies, the first choice 10 in the 2019 Rugby World Cup, and now up for a Laureus.
Dan McKellar, coach of the Brumbies, paid tribute to the player and the impact of the struggles he has faced with the illness recently. He called Lealiifano’s comeback tremendous and said that he knows that the player himself will also be able to look back at this part of his life proudly one day.
| Rank | Site | Bonus | Bet | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | Ladbrokes |  | 5/5 | 100% Match up to $250 | Bet now Review |
| 2 |  | Palmerbet | | 4.9/5 | 100% Match | Bet now Review |
| 3 |  | Picklebet | | 4.8/5 | Login to see promotions | Bet now Review |
More About Jennie Martin
After completing her degree, Jennie Martin began her journalism career by working as an intern on the entertainment pages. However, her passion for sport was quickly noticed, and she began covering local events.
She now puts her considerable expertise and more than a decades worth of experience to good use, keeping readers up to date on Australian and international sports betting news.
From the latest sporting results to the thrills and spills of the online betting industry, Jennie is the australiansportsbetting.net expert in the field.
You May Also Like:
Jones Says Tackle Height Should Be Lowered
England coach Eddie Jones says the allowable height of tackles should be lowered in youth rugby. This will further lower the risk of brain injuries in the sport, he explained. ….
Rugby Australia Commits To Improved Expenditure For 2027
Rugby Australia has promised that they will by wasting no money in the lead up to the 2027 men’s Rugby World Cup. This comes after the country was selected to ….
RFL To Roll Out Risk-Detecting Mouthguards
The Rugby Football League has now approved the use of a special mouthguard capable of detecting the risk of head trauma and/or concussion. The guards will come into play from ….
Brain Injury Still A Risk For Rugby Players
Modern-day rugby players should not consider themselves exempt from the possibility of developing the same neurological disorders as former players of old as a result of injuries to the head ….
Toutai Kefu In Surgery After Home Invasion
Former Wallabies star Toutai Kefu is reportedly undergoing emergency surgery after a stabbing incident in Brisbane. Queensland police have now confirmed the incident, as well as that Kefu has sustained ….