Only George Smith, Nathan Sharpe and Israel Folau had been honoured twice by their peers before Hooper, 24, was rewarded for trademark consistency in the gold jersey with a second win in Sydney on Thursday.

The Manly-raised Waratah, who has earned 61 caps for Australia since debuting as a 20-year-old, was the clear winner of the players' player tally, recording 296 votes to lead runner-up David Pocock (189), Bernard Foley, Will Genia and Folau. Hooper last won the John Eales Medal in 2013, in just his second year in Test rugby.

Adding another accolade to an impressive list, Hooper was also voted Australia's choice Wallaby of the year for the fourth year in a row. A standout contribution of four tries and three man of the match performances helped soften the blow of a tough season for the Wallabies, who have won just three of their past 11 Tests, including their World Cup final loss to New Zealand last year.

Western Force outside back Dane Haylett-Petty won Wallabies rookie of the year, while veteran Drew Mitchell won try of the year as the player most responsible for Adam Ashley-Cooper's five-pointer against Argentina in the World Cup semi-final last year.

Charlotte Caslick was named women's sevens player of the year after helping lead the Pearls to Olympic glory in Rio, while Ed Jenkins was named men's sevens player of the year a day after announcing he had stepped down from the captaincy. The men's and women's awards were named after Shawn Mackay, the popular sevens player who was killed in a car accident in South Africa in 2009.

Wallabies back-rower Sean McMahon was rewarded for a breakout campaign in Super Rugby this season with the Super Rugby player of the year award, Wallabies debutant Reece Hodge won Super Rugby rookie of the year, while Stephen Larkham and the Brumbies won Super Rugby coach and team of the year, respectively.

Angus Gardner, who will referee Wales verses Argentina in Cardiff next month, won Super Rugby referee of the series.

2016 John Eales Medal Awards
John Eales Medal: Michael Hooper
Qantas Wallabies Rookie of the Year: Dane Haylett-Petty
Qantas Wallabies Try of the Year: Drew Mitchell (most responsible for Adam Ashley-Cooper's try), Australia v Argentina, Twickenham Stadium, 2015 Rugby World Cup Semi Final
Australia's Choice – Qantas Wallaby of the Year: Michael Hooper
Wallabies Hall of Fame: John 'Jack' Ford, John Solomon, Peter Johnson
Asteron Life Super Rugby Player of the Year: Sean McMahon, Melbourne Rebels
Asteron Life Super Rugby Team of the Year: Brumbies
Asteron Life Super Rugby Coach of the Year: Stephen Larkham, Brumbies
Asteron Life Super Rugby Rookie of the Year: Reece Hodge, Melbourne Rebels
Asteron Life Super Rugby Try of the Year: Nick Frisby (most responsible for Jake McIntyre's try), Queensland Reds v Blues, Suncorp Stadium, Round 4
Super Rugby TNT Referee of the Series: Angus Gardner
Buildcorp National Rugby Championship Player of the Year: Irae Simone, Sydney Rays
Australian U20s Player of the Year: Tyrell Lomax
Shawn Mackay Award Qantas Men's Sevens Player of the Year: Ed Jenkins
Shawn Mackay Award Qantas Women's Sevens Player of the Year: Charlotte Caslick
Women's XVs Player of the Year: Ashleigh Hewson
Joe French Award: Alec Evans
Nick Farr-Jones Spirit of Rugby Award: Megan and Anthony Elliot
Roger Vanderfield Award, Referee of the Year: Angus Gardner
HSBC Volunteer of the Year: Deon Norval, Uni Norths Owls Rugby Club, ACT
HSBC Lifetime Volunteer of the Year: Dougal Whitton, Canberra Royals Rugby Club, ACT
HSBC Young Volunteer of the Year (U25): Hayden Croghan, Palmyra Rugby Club, WA
Geoff 'Bunter' Shaw Community Coach of the Year: Kylie Dawson, Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School Rugby, Tamworth, NSW and NSW Central Norths Rugby