Folau wins top honours

Sydney - Fullback Israel Folau has won the top individual honour in Australian rugby union after clinching the John Eales Medal.

Folau won the award for Australia's international player of the year, based on voting by Wallabies team-mates after each test dating to November.

He shared the Super Rugby Australian player of the season award with flank and Waratahs team-mate Michael Hooper.

The pair played important roles in helping the Waratahs win the Super Rugby title for the first time.

Waratahs coach Michael Cheika, who took over the Wallabies job in the wake of Ewen McKenzie's resignation this week, was voted Super Rugby coach of the year.

The Wallabies, coming off three consecutive Test losses, leave on Friday for a five-match European tour.