Christian Lealiifano has inspired the ACT Brumbies and the Wallabies. Now he has a chance to inspire the world.
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The former Brumbies skipper has been announced as a finalist for the prestigious Laureus sports awards, nominated in the comeback of the year category alongside Andy Murray, Liverpool and NBA superstar Kawahi Leonard.
United States swimmer Nathan Adrian and Germany's Sophia Florsch are also in contention for the award, with the ceremony to be held in Berlin on February 17.
Lealiifano was diagnosed with leukaemia in 2016, cutting him down at the peak of his powers and almost ending his career.
But the humble Brumby, who retired from Super Rugby last year, slowly worked his way back on to the field and was picked in the Wallabies' 2019 World Cup squad.
Now he will rub shoulders with the best of the best in the world, including Lewis Hamilton, Eliud Kipchoge, Lionel Messi, Tiger Woods and Rafael Nadal at a function in Germany next month.
"Extremely humbled and privileged to be shortlisted ... alongside five other remarkable competitors who have had amazing journeys," Lealiifano wrote on Instagram.
Lealiifano played his first Test in three years when Australia beat Argentina in Brisbane in July last year and won five of his seven matches for the Wallabies in 2019.
He was long considered the heartbeat of the Brumbies side, even when illness confined him to his hospital bed.
Brumbies coach Dan McKellar said: "This is further recognition for him and his comeback, his journey and the story of Christian Lealiifano.
"I think it's tremendous, it's something he'll look back on in time and be really proud of where he's come from. His family will be and we certainly are at the Brumbies.
"He's not here any more as a player, but he's still a big part of our club."
The veteran of 150 Super Rugby games was diagnosed with the blood cancer after feeling ill at training in 2016.
He immediately started chemotherapy and then had a bone-marrow transplant with sister Sally in the next step of his recovery.
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Doctors told him it was likely he would never play again, but Lealiifano was back in a Brumbies jersey less than 12 months after his diagnosis.
He lost 12 kilograms, but slowly put weight back on and starred in the Brumbies' run to the finals last year, becoming the first player in the club's history to reach the 150-game milestone.
Former Wallabies coach Michael Cheika rewarded his Brumbies form with a Test call up, and he took the reins for the majority of the World Cup in Japan before Australia was knocked out in the quarter-finals.
"Did I have doubts? Yeah. But to be back to full health ... it's been a hell of a ride," Lealiifano said after being picked in the World Cup squad.
"Without the supporter of my family - my partner Luga, mum, my brothers and sisters - and friends and teammates, this just wouldn't be possible.
"The belief that people have in me is crazy. That's what motivates and inspires me. They drive me to be the best I can be."
Lealiifano is still playing in Japan after signing a deal to test himself in abroad.
Can he beat Murray, Leonard, Adrian, Florsch or Liverpool for the prize?
Murray won his first ATP title in 31 months last year and there were fears his career was over after two hip operations.
Leonard led the Toronto Raptors to their first NBA title after battling tendonitis and a shoulder injury, Adrian won world championship gold after being diagnosed with testicular cancer, Florsch had spinal surgery after a horrific crash and Liverpool won the Champions League for a sixth time.