Israel Folau wins Matthew Burke Cup, snaps Michael Hooper’s five-year dominance

ISRAEL Folau capped a great season for the Waratahs by winning his first Matthew Burke Cup, breaking captain Michael Hooper’s five-year mortgage on the award. Only problem, he wasn’t there to collect.

Israel Folau snapped his Matthew Burke Cup duck. Picture: Getty

ISRAEL Folau was a surprise no-show at the Waratahs’ player of the year presentation on Thursday night despite being awarded the Matthew Burke Cup for the first time.

The Wallabies’ fullback has been keeping a low profile since Australia’s loss to Argentina last weekend when he bombed a try in the last minute that would have won the Test and did not attend Thursday night’s harbourside ceremony where he was named player of the year.

Waratahs officials said none of the players were told in advance who had won the award so Folau had flown to Melbourne for a quick family trip before the Wallabies head to South Africa on Saturday.

After finishing runner-up to Michael Hooper in four of the past five Super Rugby years and missing several games this season, Folau finally turned the tables on his skipper to collect the state’s top award for the first time after winning the John Eales Medal as Australia’s best player three times.

Israel Folau snapped his Matthew Burke Cup duck. Picture: Getty

“The remarkable thing is he didn’t play all the games but polled consistently all year,” Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson told The Daily Telegraph.

“Every time he played, he just played really well and this award is proof of that.”

Gibson said Folau will still be hurting over the heartbreaking nature of last week’s 23-18 loss to the Pumas when he scored a brilliant solo try in the first half but went himself and lost the ball when Bernard Foley was unmarked outside him in the final play of the match.

But Gibson said it wasn’t Folau’s fault that the Wallabies lost and he expected his star fullback to come better than ever.

Israel Folau has kept a low profile since the Wallabies’ loss to Argentina. Picture: Getty

“I think there will be a part of him that will be disappointed with the final action but that certainly didn’t contribute to their overall game,” Gibson said.

“So I think he will bounce back. He’s a champion player and he’ll be bigger and better for the next game.”

Kurtley Beale, who was named NSW’s best back for 2018, told The Daily Telegraph the Wallabies were determined to make amends when they head overseas for the final two rounds of the Rugby Championship.

Kurtley Beale was named best back.

It’s going to be a big challenge for us to go to South Africa and win on tour,” Beale said.

“I think it’s a great opportunity for the group to really turn things around.

“It’s going to be a massive challenge. I think everybody understands the massive responsibility and the challenge ahead so it’s a matter of making sure we put our best foot forward to take it head on.

“I think everyone will be determined to do that.”

The 29-year-old Folau scored 11 tries during the season and played a major part in helping the Waratahs win the Australian Conference and reach the second week of the playoffs.

Ash Hewson was a runaway winner of the women’s player of the year award.

MATTHEW BURKE CUP WINNERS

2018: Israel Folau

2017: Michael Hooper

2016: Michael Hooper

2015: Michael Hooper

2014: Michael Hooper

2013: Michael Hooper

2012: Dave Dennis

2011: Kurtley Beale

2010: Tatafu Polota-Nau

2009: Wycliff Palu

2008: Wycliff Palu

2007: Rocky Elsom

2006: Adam Freier

2005: Nathan Grey

FINAL VOTES 2018

Israel Folau: 99 points

Michael Hooper: 77

Michael Wells: 71

Kurtley Beale: 65

Taqele Naiyaravoro: 64

Originally published as Israel Folau wins Matthew Burke Cup, snaps Michael Hooper’s five-year dominance