Israel Folau ’won’t go back to NRL’ after three John Eales medals

After winning an unprecedented third John Eales medal, Israel Folau is sure to get more interest from NRL clubs, but his best mate reckons he won’t return.

Wallabies fullback Israel Folau has won an unprecedented third John Eales Medal.

ISRAEL Folau has created new history, winning the John Eales Medal as Australia’s best rugby player for an unprecedented third time.

And one of his closest friends, Wallabies teammate Sekope Kepu, says there is no chance the triple-code star will ever return to the NRL.

After breaking the record this year for most tries in a calendar year by a Wallaby (12), Folau romped home to his third medal win, beating closest rival Kurtley Beale by nearly 100 votes.

No Wallabies player has ever won three Eales medals, yet Folau has achieved that feat within just five years of joining the code.

There is endless speculation that Folau will one day return to the NRL, where he established himself as a genuine superstar before a stint in the AFL, but Kepu says that is unlikely to happen despite the fullback’s many achievement’s in rugby.

Israel Folau is the John Eales Medallist for 2017. #RAA17 READ: https://t.co/pAavfRUbbW pic.twitter.com/z6IhHBE66q

— RUGBYcomau (@rugbycomau) October 26, 2017

“I’ve never been that worried about him returning to rugby league,” Kepu wrote in a column for the RUPA website.

Wallabies fullback Israel Folau has won an unprecedented third John Eales Medal.

“We have had a few discussions about it, and every time I see something pop up in the newspapers I have a chat with him and ask what’s going on, and how he’s feeling.

“I believe that he is really enjoying rugby and the blessings that the game has given to him on and off the field, such as the travel and the relationships. I’m 99 per cent sure he won’t be going back to rugby league.”

The Eales medal is voted on a 3-2-1 system by fellow Wallabies players after each Test starting from the start of last year’s spring tour.

In the final tally, Folau received an overwhelming 260 votes, beating Beale, who remarkably polled 166 votes despite only playing seven games since August.

Next were Bernard Foley (146), Michael Hooper (142), Sean McMahon (1129), Tevita Kuridrani (111), David Pocock (107), Reece Hodge (91), Dane Haylett-Petty (86) and rookie Jack Dempsey (76).

ARU chief executive Bill Pulver said Folau still had much to achieve in the game.

Wallabies great John Eales presents Israel Folau with the John Eales Medal in Sydney on Thursday night.

“Israel’s form this year has been electric and once again he proved what an incredible asset he is to this Wallabies team,’ Pulver said.

“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.”

NSW flanker Ned Hanigan won the rookie of the year award after making his Test debut in June.

Chloe Dalton won the Aussie sevens women’s player of the year.

“Chloe Dalton is a wonderful all-round talent on the rugby field and she has grown significantly as a leader of our women’s Sevens team over the past 12 months,” Pulver said.

Veteran James Stannard won the men’s sevens player of the year, while Hilisha Samoa won Australia’s women’s XVs player of the year.

JOHN EALES MEDAL WINNERS

2017: Israel Folau

2016: Michael Hooper

2015: Israel Folau

2014: Israel Folau

2013: Michael Hooper

2012: Nathan Sharpe

2011: Kurtley Beale

2010: David Pocock

2009: Matt Giteau

2008: George Smith

2007: Nathan Sharpe

2006: Chris Latham

2005: Jeremy Paul

2004: David Lyons

2003: Phil Waugh

2002: George Smith

2017 Rugby Australia Awards

Wallabies Hall of Fame inductees: David Brockhoff & Greg Cornelsen

HSBC Volunteer of the Year: Peter Kurtz

Roger Vanderfield Award TNT Referee of the Year: Angus Gardner

Nick Farr-Jones Spirit of Rugby: Warringah Rugby Club/The Ward Family

Australia U20s Player of the Year: Liam Wright

Joe French Award: Kevin Crowe OAM

Geoff “Bunter” Shaw Community Coach of the Year: Alana Thomas

Rugby Australia Rookie of the Year: Ned Hanigan

Rugby Australia Try of the Year: Joe Powell (Brumbies) v Hurricanes (Round 9)

Vodafone Super Rugby Player of the Year: Amanaki Mafi, Melbourne Rebels

Australia’s Choice – Qantas Wallaby of the Year: Michael Hooper

Women’s XV Player of the Year: Hilisha Samoa

The Shawn Mackay Award Qantas Men’s Sevens Player of the Year: James Stannard

The Shawn Mackay Award Qantas Women’s Sevens Player of the Year: Chloe Dalton OAM

John Eales Medal: Israel Folau

Originally published as Israel Folau ’won’t go back to NRL’ after three John Eales medals