Waratahs captain Michael Hooper wins fifth consecutive Matthew Burke Cup

MICHAEL Hooper has won an extraordinary fifth consecutive Matthew Burke Cup after taking out the Waratahs’ best player of 2017.

MICHAEL Hooper has won an extraordinary fifth consecutive Matthew Burke Cup after taking out the Waratahs’ best player of 2017.

The NSW and Wallabies skipper created history in 2015 when he became the first player to win three Burke Cups, but has surpassed even the expectations of his greatest admirers.

Michael Hooper has a mortgage on the Matthew Burke Cup.

The openside flanker had a stellar year despite NSW slumping to one of their worst seasons in history, finishing third last and conceding a record number of points.

While Hooper beat Folau last year by just 54 votes, this year he increased his final margin by 152 votes against the fullback who finished runner-up once more.

Folau is yet to win a Burke Cup.

Votes are given by fellow NSW players on a 3-2-1 basis for every game of the Super Rugby season.

Folau was named the Waratahs’ back of the year, while prop Sekope Kepu was recognised for winning his 100th cap in round four of this year’s competition against the Brumbies.

MATTHEW BURKE CUP WINNERS

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 2017

Michael Hooper: 340

Israel Folau: 188

Bernard Foley: 183

Tolu Latu: 164

Will Skelton: 87

Michael Wells: 69

Jake Gordon: 65

Ned Hanigan: 64

David Horwitz: 49

Sekope Kepu: 45

Originally published as Waratahs captain Michael Hooper wins fifth consecutive Matthew Burke Cup