Israel Folau has celebrated his decision to stay in rugby by winning two categories at the NSW Waratahs awards night and finishing second to Michael Hooper in the most prestigious section.
Wallaby back Folau – who around 12 hours earlier announced he had re-signed with the Waratahs and Australian Rugby Union for two more years – won Best Back and Members’ Choice Player of the Year.
The awards followed his recent gong for Super Rugby Rookie of the Year, but he finished a distant second to flying openside flanker Hooper in the Matthew Burke Cup for Waratahs Players’ Player of the Year.
Wallabies forward Hooper, who was recently named Australian Super Rugby Player of the Year, polled 298 votes to finish almost 100 points clear of fellow first-year Waratah Folau (200).
Centre Adam Ashley-Cooper (171) was third, followed by five-eighth Bernard Foley (167) and prop Benn Robinson (150).
Robinson, who was recently dumped from the Wallabies squad won the Best Forward award.
Former Brumby Hooper equalled Folau’s haul of two awards by winning the Waratah Medal for on and off-excellence.
Towering highly rated lock Will Skelton, one of 17 players to debut for the Waratahs this year, won the Chris Whitaker Aspiring Waratah Award.
Rhys Maiden
Roar Pro
Waratahs can only go up from here, 2014 is looking very promising!
Boomeranga
Guest
I like Holloway as well James. He hasnt done much as yet but I'm hopeful. I agree on Ulugia. Holmes is no great shakes so we really just have TPN.
formeropenside
Guest
Apparently Turner is talking to the Reds. God I hope we dont take him -we dont need New South Welshmen.
jameswm
Roar Guru
So you want to keep Betham, Douglas, Skelton, Vola and Tilse of that lot. I guess Turner for cover. Ulugia is actually the biggest loss from that lot I reckon.
Boomeranga
Guest
Does anyone know who are all the confirmed players for next year? I have these as signed: Robinson, Polota-Nau, Ryan, Kepu, Dennis, Talalelei Gray, Hooper, McCutcheon, Jacques Potgieter, Palu, Phipps, Foley, Jono Lance, Ashley-Cooper, Crawford, Horne, Michael Hodge, Beale, Folou These guys gone: Fitzpatrick, Hart, Mitchell, Timani, Barnes, Timani, Kingston, Ulugia, Carter, Atkins I havent seen anything confirming any of these guys: Betham, Douglas, Chapman, Holloway, Holmes, Lucas, McKibbon, Peterson, Skelton, Tilse, Turner, Volavola Anyone know?
Edward
Guest
Great reward for the amazing work rate and commitment to the team. Go Hoops
Honest
Guest
Wow what a winning margin, Hooper really has been outstanding again this year Also winning the medal of excellence is an insight into the sort of guy he is. Well done Michael