Folau, who has been in rugby for less than two years, was a clear winner with 314 votes ahead of his NSW Waratahs teammate Michael Hooper (232). For the second year running Hooper won the fan-voted Australia's Choice award while the stand-in Wallabies skipper shared the Super Rugby Player of the Year award with Folau.

"It's a huge honour and a privilege to be on the list with so many great players who have worn this John Eales Medal," Folau said.

"There's so many great players in the team that could have won this award.

"But without an overall team performance, I wouldn't have achieved this award.

"It's huge to be voted by your peers and I hold that in high regard.

"This is definitely up there with all the awards and accolades that I've achieved across all the different codes that I've played.

"It's my second year in rugby, but I'm thoroughly enjoying my time.

"For me, the next thing is going across to Europe for the next five weeks and trying to get a job done."

Australian Rugby Union CEO, Bill Pulver congratulated Folau for his performances in 2014.

"Israel Folau is one of the most exciting players in world Rugby at the moment and his performances over the last 12 months make him a worthy recipient of this award."
 
"On behalf of the wider Australian Rugby community, we congratulate Israel on being named the 2014 John Eales Medallist and wish him all the best for the forthcoming Spring Tour."

Other leading vote winners were Queensland Reds prop James Slipper who was recognised for his consistent season with 208 votes, while Brumbies centre Tevita Kuridrani (202) was fourth on the back of a storming Rugby Championship performance.

Wallabies skipper Stephen Moore, who has played only one minute of international rugby this year, racked up 98 votes from last year's grand slam tour of Europe to take fifth place.

New Wallabies mentor Michael Cheika was named Super Rugby Coach of the Year while the Waratahs were predictably named Team of the Year.

Brumbies second-rower Sam Carter, who made his debut against France in June, took out the Wallabies Rookie of the Year award.

Sean McMahon of the Melbourne Rebels capped off a memorable week, after being named on Wednesday in the Wallabies squad to tour Europe, by claiming three awards as Super Rugby Rookie of the Year, Player of the National Rugby Championship, and Under-20s Player of the Year.

Rob Horne won international try of the year for his last-ditch effort that stole a one-point victory for the Wallabies against South Africa in Perth. Rebels skipper Scott Higginbotham won the Super Rugby try of the season for his five-pointer against the Cheetahs in round three.

Emilee Cherry won the Shawn Mackay Award for the Sevens Player of the Year, and was also named Women's Player of the Year across both the Sevens and 15-a-side game. Cameron Clark was named male sevens Player of the Year after earning selection in the IRB's team of the year last season.

Wylie Breckenridge, Greg Davis and Simon Poidevin were inducted into the Wallabies Hall of Fame.

2014 John Eales Medal Awards

John Eales Medal: Israel Folau
 
Qantas Wallabies Rookie of the Year: Sam Carter

Qantas Wallaby Try of the Year: Rob Horne (Qantas Wallabies v South Africa in Perth)
 
Australia's Choice – Qantas Wallaby of the Year: Michael Hooper
 
Wallabies Hall of Fame: Wylie Breckenridge, Greg Davis and Simon Poidevin
 
Super Rugby Player of the Year: Joint winners - Israel Folau (NSW Waratahs) and Michael Hooper (NSW Waratahs)
 
Super Rugby Team of the Year: NSW Waratahs
 
Super Rugby Coach of the Year: Michael Cheika (NSW Waratahs)
 
Super Rugby Rookie of the Year: Sean McMahon (Melbourne Rebels)

Super Rugby Try of the Year: Scott Higginbotham (Rebels v Cheetahs, Round Three)
 
Super Rugby Referee of the Year: Steve Walsh

Australian U20s Player of the Year: Sean McMahon
 
The Shawn Mackay Award Qantas Sevens Player of the Year: Emilee Cherry
 
Qantas Men's Sevens Player of the Year: Cameron Clark

Women's Player of the Year: Emilee Cherry

Buildcorp NRC Player of the Series: Sean McMahon
 
Joe French Award: Dick Marks
 
Nick Farr-Jones Spirit of Rugby: Andrew Purchas
 
Roger Vanderfield Award Referee of the Year: Amy Perrett
 
HSBC Volunteer of the Year: Chris Hicks

Asteron Life Community Coach of the Year: Sila Taungakava
 
Ultimate Fan: Trevor Hancock