Folau wins top Australian player award
Fullback Israel Folau has been named Australia's best player by his peers, winning the prestigious John Eales Medal for the second year running. The former rugby league international was handed the honour at an awards ceremony in Sydney on Thursday evening, outpolling fellow Wallabies David Pocock and Michael Hooper, who came second and third. "It's a huge privilege for me to get this award," Folau said of winning the gong named after the former Australian skipper and voted on by Wallaby players after each Test. "What's most rewarding for me is being recognised by my team-mates -- it's a huge thing for me. "I feel pretty lucky to get the award because there's definitely guys within the squad who I personally think deserve this." Folau is only the third player to win the medal twice, after flanker George Smith (2002, 2008) and lock Nathan Sharpe (2007, 2012), and the first to win it in successive years. Hooper was the most popular Wallaby for the third year in a row, as voted by fans. Back-rower Sean McMahon was named Wallabies rookie of the year while lock Rory Arnold won Super Rugby rookie of the year. Pocock took the Super Rugby player of the year award, while the NSW Waratahs and their coach Michael Cheika were named the Australian Super Rugby team and coach of the year respectively.
