Wallabies and ACT Brumbies second-rower Nick Frost has been named as Rugby Australia’s Rookie of the Year for 2022.
After 35 matches for the Brumbies, the 23 year-old made his Wallabies debut off the bench in the second match of the home Test series against England last July, going on to play nine out of the 14 Test matches in 2022.
Following his national team debut at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Frost went on to become one of the Wallabies’ best and most consistent players in his first season, playing a full 80 minutes in each of his four appearances during the Spring Tour at the end of last season.
Frost’s rapid development from Wallabies bolter in Brisbane, to making the impact that saw him become one of the mainstays of the Wallabies’ Tight Five resulted in his elevation as the 2022 Rookie of the Year.
“2022 was a special year for me, and definitely one I’ll look back on at the end of my career,” said Frost.
“Getting the chance to play for the Wallabies for the first time was obviously a huge milestone for myself and kicking on from that, earning more minutes at international level – it was awesome to be a part of.
“I’ve got a great bunch of mates here at the Brumbies and, with this award, I can only thank them, my coaches, and my friends and family for supporting me along the way.”
Rugby Australia CEO Andy Marinos says Frost’s promising talent has been on the radar for a number of years.
“It was only a matter of time before his talent and work ethic saw Nick picked for the Wallabies,” he said.
“It was certainly no surprise to see him flourish in that environment, and become such an important player for the national team.
“He is a rare talent with great mobility and athleticism, and a fantastic attitude to hard work and improvement – Nick goes about his business with minimal fuss and a huge emphasis on the team.
“I expect that he will be a crucial part of the Wallabies program for many years to come.”
A product of the Australian Rugby pathways, Frost was in the 2017 Australian Schoolboys side and was also a member of the 2019 Junior Wallabies team that made it to the U20 World Championship Final in Argentina.
Known for his athleticism and skill, Frost was also a part of the Brumbies’ 2020 Super Rugby AU triumph, named on the bench in the Final against the Queensland Reds, in what was his first professional season.
He was also a crucial part of the Brumbies’ run to the Semi-Finals of the 2022 Harvey Norman Super Rugby Pacific.
