Israel Folau set to re-sign with rugby union as Michael Hooper named Australia's Super Rugby player of the year

ISRAEL Folau is all set to re-sign with rugby after joining Tahs teammate Michael Hooper as Super Rugby player award winner.

Israel Folau

ISRAEL Folau has all but confirmed he'll re-sign with rugby after joining Waratahs teammate Michael Hooper as a recipient of a major Super Rugby player award for 2013.

Hooper was named Australian player of the year after beating George Smith and Will Genia to the top gong, while Folau was voted Australia's Super Rugby rookie of the year after a superb first season in the 15-man code.

It now appears all but certain there'll be at least another season in rugby for Folau, whose future has been the subject of much speculation.

Folau said while contractual paperwork had yet to be sorted out, he'd settled on his choice between rugby and rugby league.

"I know personally what I want to do, so soon hopefully the public can find out," Folau said.

"I am really enjoying my time at the moment. I know what I want to do, it's just a few things we have to sort out.

"The discussions are really positive at the moment, and things are looking really good. We will just have to sort a few things out and then get a signature on paper."

Folau later hinted a long-term future with the Waratahs when praising Hooper for his award.

"I feel very honoured to have played with Hoops this year, and hopefully I can do that for many more games to come," he said.

Hooper polled 21 votes - four more than Smith and Genia - after picking up votes in nine games, including four man-of-the-match awards.

In 3-2-1 voting by media across the season, Hooper benefited by the Waratahs not sharing around their votes as much as players from the higher-finishing Brumbies and Reds. There were six Brumbies in the top 20 votegetters and four Reds, but only three Tahs. Folau won 15 votes to come fifth overall.

"I am stoked, personally," Hooper said.

"We obviously came up short this year for the Waratahs We had some really good performances and we're moving forward. It's a really enjoyable team to play for at the moment."

Jake White won coach of the year, the Brumbies were team of the year and Rod Davies' five-pointer against the Sharks was try of the year.

Super Rugby Player of the Year top 10:
Michael Hooper (Waratahs) 21
George Smith (Brumbies) 17
Will Genia (Reds) 17
James O'Connor (Rebels) 16
Israel Folau (Waratahs) 15
Christian Lealiifano (Brumbies) 13
Scott Higginbotham (Rebels) 13
Liam Gill (Reds) 13
Ben Mowen (Brumbies) 11
Quade Cooper (Reds) 10

Super Rugby Coach of the Year: Jake White (Brumbies)
Super Rugby Team of the Year: ACT Brumbies
Super Rugby Rookie of the Year: Israel Folau (Waratahs)
TNT Referee of the Year: Steve Walsh
Super Rugby Try of the Year: Rod Davies (Reds), Rd 13 v Sharks