Wallabies fullback Israel Folau has become the first player to win the John Eales Medal for a third time, achieving the feat in just his fifth season of professional rugby.
The NSW Waratahs’ No.15, who also represented Australia in rugby league and played for AFL side Greater Western Sydney, was the first man to win the medal in three-successive years.
Folau had previously been one of four men to win the Wallabies’ player of the year award twice, along with captain and flanker Michael Hooper, lock Nathan Sharpe and flanker George Smith.
He has enjoyed a prolific 2017 campaign, after breaking an 11-Test try drought.
Folau bagged a double in four Tests, including all three of the June internationals.
Overall, he scored 12 tries in 10 Tests, crossing in each of the three Bledisloe Cup clashes.
“To have a third John Eales Medal around his neck after only five years in professional rugby is an extraordinary achievement and, at just 28, he’s got plenty left to achieve in rugby,” Australian Rugby Union CEO Bill Pulver said.
The medal, which was voted on by the Wallabies, was the highlight of Thursday’s Rugby Australia awards night in Sydney.
Hooper won ‘the Australia’s Choice: Qantas Wallaby of the year Award’ for the fifth-consecutive year.
Front-rower Hilisha Samoa won Wallaroos player of the year award after her efforts at the 2017 Women’s Rugby World Cup in Ireland.
Wallabies flanker Ned Hanigan was named rookie of the year and young Queenslander Liam Wright took out the Australian under-20s player award.
The sevens’ player of the year awards were won by Chloe Dalton OAM and James Stannard.
Melbourne Rebels’ back-rower Amanaki Maft took out the Super Rugby player award.
MAJOR WINNERS AT 2017 RUGBY AUSTRALIA AWARDS:
* John Eales Medal: Israel Folau
* Under-20s player of the year: Liam Wright
* Rookie of the year: Ned Hanigan
* Try of the year: Joe Powell (Brumbies) v Hurricanes (Round 9)
* Australia’s Choice – Qantas Wallaby of the year: Michael Hooper
* Women’s XV player of the year: Hilisha Samoa
* Men’s sevens player of the year: James Stannard
* Women’s sevens Player: Chloe Dalton OAM
* Wallabies Hall of Fame inductees: David Brockhoff and Greg Cornelsen.
