From a World Cup to rhinoceros conservation to more high praise - David Pocock's remarkable year hit a new level on Wednesday after taking home a double gong at the RUPA awards.
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Pocock won the RUPA medal of excellence for the second time in his career and also claimed the people's choice prize after his superb ACT Brumbies and Wallabies campaigns.
Brumbies powerhouse Ita Vaea also picked up an award as the best player of the National Rugby Championship, continuing his journey back to rugby after recovering from life-threatening blood clots.
There were doubts about Pocock's ability to get back to his world-class form after two knee reconstructions in two years, which left his career hanging in the balance.
But Pocock never wavered in an outstanding season that saw him nominated for World Rugby's player of the year, helping the Wallabies into the World Cup final and playing in his first Super Rugby finals campaign.
ARU boss Bill Pulver said he was willing to do anything to keep Pocock in Australian rugby as speculation swirls about his future.
Pocock's Brumbies' deal expires at the end of 2016, with overseas clubs lining up to poach the 27-year-old, while he could also opt to take a break from rugby.
The Brumbies are in overdrive trying to keep Pocock in Canberra, but have given him time away from the sport as he weighs up his future.
Pulver told The Daily Telegraph the ARU was desperate to re-sign Pocock with a long-term view to the 2019 World Cup.
"We would consider anything, the view we want to take is a long-term view," Pulver said.
"We're all ears. We'll consider any of the options and hopefully find a meeting point that works for him and works for us.
"We are really desperate to keep him, he is such a point of different to the game on and off the paddock. We'll do everything within our power to keep him."
Pocock will return to Brumbies training on January 4, but adopted his own style of pre-season training in Zimbabwe last week.
He ran alongside anti-poaching scouts to learn about the efforts to protect white rhinos.
Pocock is still in Africa, but accepted his award via video.
"It's always an honour to be recognised by your peers," Pocock said. "They are the ones you play alongside and against, and at the end of the day their opinion really does matter, so it's a huge honour to win the RUPA medal for excellence; thank you very much."
