Lealiifano shortlisted for global sports award

Wed, Jan 15, 2020, 9:42 PM
AAP
by AAP
Christian Lealiifano has been nominated for a Laureus Sports Award. Photo: RUGBY.com.au/Stuart Walmsley
Christian Lealiifano has been nominated for a Laureus Sports Award. Photo: RUGBY.com.au/Stuart Walmsley

Christian Lealiifano's World Cup journey has put him in line for a gong at this year's Laureus World Sport awards.

Lealiifano, who played in the World Cup three years after being diagnosed with leukaemia, has been shortlisted for the Comeback of the Year at the prestigious awards.

The 32-year-old, who is now playing with NTT Communications in the Japanese Top League, is joined by some giants of global sports including Andy Murray, NBA star Kawhi Leonard and swimmer Nathan Adrian.

Lealiifano was diagnosed with leaukaemia in 2016, just months after the birth of his son, Jeremih, and underwent months of treatment that forced him to miss much of the 2017 Super Rugby season.

The flyhalf returned to some of his best rugby in recent seasons to force his way back into Wallabies calculations and ultimately become the first-choice 10 in the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

Brumbies coach Dan McKellar paid tribute to Lealiifano and the impact of his journey through illness when asked about the nomination on Thursday morning.

"I think it's tremendous again, it's something he'll look back on in time and be really proud of where he's come from and I know his family will be very proud as well and we certainly are at the Brumbies. Whilst he's not here anymore as a player, he's certainly still a big part of our club," he said.

"I think when he was initially diagnosed, the reaction and he love for "Bruz" and then just how he responded, his attitude towards it, his attitude since, he's a great person and deserves all the recognition he gets."

Golfing icon Tiger Woods won the award last year, while rugby stars Schalk Burger and Dan Carter have also been previous winners.

While he is the only Australian to be nominated for an award, there are a number of rugby inclusions in the shortlists.

The Japan national team are in the running for Breakthrough of the Year, while the Springboks have been included in the nominees for the World Team of the Year.

The global sports media votes for the Laureus awards, which began in 2000, and the winners will be announced in a ceremony in Berlin on February 17.

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