Michael Hooper has capped an impressive season by winning the John Eales Medal, voted the Wallabies’ best player by his peers.
The 22-year-old Hooper collected the award in Sydney on Thursday night, making it five wins in 12 years by openside flankers – joining George Smith (2002 and 2008), Phil Waugh (2003) and David Pocock (2010).
Fullback Israel Folau claimed the rookie of the year award and was also third (177 votes) in the John Eales Medal count behind Hooper (297) and Wycliff Palu (185) despite not switching codes till after last year’s Spring Tour which fell into the voting period.
Backs Adam Ashley-Cooper and Christian Lealiifano completed the top five with 131 and 102 votes respectively.