Game-breaking fullback Israel Folau’s huge value to rugby union has been underlined after he beat warm favourite and Wallabies captain Michael Hooper for the John Eales Medal on Thursday.
In just his second year in the 15-a-side code, Folau has added to an impressive tally of rugby union awards, by winning one voted on by his fellow Wallabies.
Folau polled 314 votes to finish clear of openside flanker Hooper (232), who was widely tipped to become the first player in the 14-year history of the medal to win it in successive years.
The two Waratahs shared the Super Rugby player of the year award, while Hooper was named Australia’s Choice player of the year.
In the John Eales Medal, prop James Slipper (208) was third, just ahead of centre Tevita Kuridrani (202).
Folau is only the fourth back in 14 years to win the medal after Chris Latham (2006), Matt Giteau (2009), and Kurtley Beale (2011).
The medal is voted for by the Wallabies on a 3-2-1 basis after each Test over the past 12 months, from last year’s spring tour to last weekend’s Bledisloe Cup Test.
Prolific tryscoring Folau comes off contract at the end of next year and has never ruled out moving back to rugby league, where he started his stellar professional career.
Folau 25, has scored 15 tries in 25 Tests, and his tally of 10 in 2013 equalled the most in a year by a Wallaby, set by another former rugby league star, Lote Tuqiri.
In 2013, Folau also won the Super Rugby rookie and Australian Rugby Players’ Association and International Rugby Players’ Association’s newcomer of the year awards.
Lock Sam Carter, who debuted against France in June and has played eight Tests, was named Wallabies rookie of the year.
New Wallabies head coach Michael Cheika won the Australian Super Rugby coach of the year after steering the NSW Waratahs to their maiden title, which earned them the Australian Super Rugby team of the year.
Folau apart, the big winner of the awards night at Sydney’s Randwick Racecourse was Melbourne Rebels flanker Sean McMahon, who took out three awards.
Uncapped McMahon, who was named on Wednesday in the Wallabies spring tour squad, won the Australian U20s player of the Year; the National Rugby Championship Player of the series; and the Super Rugby rookie of the Year.
Emilee Cherry won the awards for women’s player of the year in both sevens and 15-a-side, while Cameron Clark was named male sevens player of the year.
“It’s a huge honour and a privilege to be on the list with so many great players who have worn this John Eales Medal,” Folau said.
“There’s so many great players in the team that could have won this award.
“But without an overall team performance, I wouldn’t have achieved this award.
“It’s huge to be voted by your peers and I hold that in high regard.
“This is definitely up there with all the awards and accolades that I’ve achieved across all the different codes that I’ve played.
“It’s my second year in rugby, but I’m thoroughly enjoying my time.
“For me, the next thing is going across to Europe for the next five weeks and trying to get a job done.”
Folau welcomed the appointment of Michael Cheika as new Wallabies coach, ranking him alongside his rugby league mentors Craig Bellamy and Mal Meninga.
He hoped Waratahs and Wallabies teammate Kurtley Beale would return to the team environment after his hearing on Friday.
Backs to have won the John Eales Medal
*Chris Latham (2006)
*Matt Giteau (2009)
*Kurtley Beale(2011)
*Israel Folau 2014
John Eales Medal roll of honour
*2002: George Smith
*2003: Phil Waugh
*2004: David Lyons
*2005: Jeremy Paul
*2006: Chris Latham
*2007: Nathan Sharpe
*2008: George Smith
*2009: Matt Giteau
*2010: David Pocock
*2011: Kurtley Beale
*2012: Nathan Sharpe
*2013: Michael Hooper
*2014: Israel Folau
soapit
Guest
doesnt exonerate him but makes it harder to come down hard and suspend/sack him if they have to do it to a whole bunch of other players as well.
ohtani's jacket
Guest
You're assuming I think Dagg is better than Folau, but in any rate at least Dagg's not some sacred cow. All Championship long, Folau showed poor positioning, weak defence, an inability to link with his support, and poor kick options. Are those the hallmarks of a great fullback? He was a handful in the last test but so were a lot of players like Kuridrani and Kepu. If he's not a great fullback then how can he win this award? And as for mud slinging, we were calling these things before they happened.
Justin3
Guest
What a laugh. I think there are plenty of kiwis who can see he is better than some of the best in worlds like Dagg and are now slinging the mud. It's very funny indeed...
Justin3
Guest
Careful you are merely providing evidence of your knowledge or lack thereof...
Justin3
Guest
TK was huge, bugger than Folau. I wonder how Izzy racked up so many metres if he was cut down every time he touched it? Watch the tape again he had a very good game indeed....
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Congrats to Izzy, fantastic achievement.
Magic Sponge
Guest
FOS was the first to congratulate Izzy. The tah conspiracy continues.
Daz
Guest
Izzy is a good player. No doubt about that. But he is just another manifestation of Aussie rugby "cultural cringe" towards league. But don't despair, even the mighty All Blacks suffer from it as can be seen in their fawning over SBW. The poms are not immune either with their rapturous courting of the Burgess boys.
44bottles
Roar Guru
Not disagreeing but just pointing out that Argentina only got into the Top 10 after the final RC game, so they weren't top 10 when played, and I think the 3rd Bledisloed from this year, not last is the one included.
Brian
Guest
He could have made the finals. Or won the competition. No slight on him, I’m a big fan of Hooper but purely based on onfield contribution, you might narrowly give it to Hodgson. Unfortunately for him, Hooper captained a team that won the competition. Close call, but far from conspiratorial.
All Bent Out of Shape
Guest
Better than B.Thorn? I wouldnt say that yet or for another 5 years tbh.
All Bent Out of Shape
Guest
Geez youre wishful. Great player. Won Super player of the year AGAIN and came 2nd to Folau in the JE medal. Give up and open your mind to the prospect that international coaches and players know better than you. They do, trust me.
All Bent Out of Shape
Guest
NZ, Eng, Ire, Wal, Ital, Sco, Fra, Fra, Fra, NZ, NZ, SA, SA, Arg, Arg. Weak sides? They played 1 game against a non top 10 side. 14 against top 10 sides. 10 games against top 6 teams. 7 against top 5 sides. He was thoroughly tested and won the award. Please dont tell me you are one of those people that think there are only 3 or 4 good sides in the world. Ire won the 6 nats, they only beat Wal by 4 and Arg beat them. The Super season is not involved at all but he won the award for Aus Super player of the year also, albeit a shared award with Hooper.
SandBox
Roar Guru
Well done Izzy! Couldn't think of a better winner So glad it wasn't that poor excuse for a captain, from the NSW mafia that was part of this 'night of the long knives' farce. Knifing your coach, creating a 'them and us' situation in the dressing room, saying "it's all too hard" on the rugby pitch, should NOT be rewarded
BlackSheep
Guest
Have to agree with RebelRanger. His efforts throughout the TRC were shadowed by Michael Hooper. Quite ironic given the physical size of the two blokes isnt it? And no im not on the Hooper Bandwagon but I concede he was by and large the most effective and consistent player for the WBs. Also, why is Hooper always seen as the last one chasing the try scorers? Isnt that Folau's job?
All Bent Out of Shape
Guest
Dont get me wrong, I dont think he was Australias best and I picked Hooper Folau Slipper in that order but I knew he would be up there and it is based on the season from RC to RC so naming 1 game against NZ is misguided. Hes a fantastic talent but not the best fullback imo but Aus has Folau and the nobody and I mean nobody except for Beale as an option. Mogg is nowhere near good enough imo, not international standard at all. Im hoping Hunt makes it as a FB and then Aus would have an awesome back 3 for the WC. 9) Phipps 10) Foley/Cooper 11) Folau 12) Beale 13) Kuridrani 14) JOC/AAC 15) Hunt 21) Genia 22) Speight/Horne 23) AAC/JOC Thats a fairly potent backline.
Hoy
Roar Guru
Congratualtions Folau. I must admit I didn't think he would win it. Well done. Keep going.
General Duncan
Guest
dmac, just because I don't talk about something in my three sentences on the issue, doesn't mean I don't think it's important. Clearly I am highlighting the "allegations of an offensive slur" overreach. My amateur hour comment relates to the ARU handling of the matter.
HiKa
Roar Rookie
Catching high balls is massive when you look at the effect the high ball had on the previous few Wallaby FBs.
William Tell
Guest
Whether the message went to Patston accidently or not is immaterial. Once the message was published via a carriage service, even only to a "mate", Beale was open to legal process. Texts, emails etc are never "private". Why having confederates involved exhonerates Beale beats me - laughing at someone's inappropriate behaviour is one thing. Joining in by passing it along riskss making you complicit.