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Wallabies captain Michael Hooper won his third John Eales Medal, narrowly pipping last year's winner Marika Koroibete for the top honour.
Michael Hooper's status among his new teammates was made clear on Tuesday when the Wallabies captain won a third John Eales Medal to finish the international season, in which he had his captaincy questioned, on a high.
The Australian skipper added to his 2013 and 2016 honours by claiming the player-voted MVP nod narrowly ahead of last year's medallist Marika Koroibete and join Israel Folau as the only other three-time winner of the award.
The COVID-19 shortened Test calendar produced just one win and three draws from six Tests under new coach Dave Rennie, who named just 16 of the 31 picked for last year's World Cup in his first squad but chose to retain Hooper at the helm.
Hooper, who turned 29 in October, became the youngest player to notch 100 Test caps in the process and join George Gregan (59) and Eales (55) as the only men to captain Australia in 50 Tests.
But the flanker, set for a 2021 Japanese sabbatical that will see him miss most of the next Super Rugby season, was forced to defend his tactics and leadership as consistency of performances again alluded the Wallabies.
His teammates showed their faith though with Hooper polling 91 votes to pip winger Koroibete (88), veteran prop James Slipper (79), halfback Nic White (61) and utility back Reece Hodge (56).
"I am very much a fan of the Wallabies he (John Eales) led back in the day; it's (an honour that's) never lost on me," Hooper said.
"I felt very proud to receive the reward from a new cohort of guys in a challenging year.
"So on an individual level it's very rewarding but you do prefer the team accolades."
Taniela Tupou won the Super Rugby AU player of the year while his Queensland and Wallabies teammate Harry Wilson claimed Rugby Australia's rookie of the year as part of a week-long roll-out of awards.
"Michael is an incredible rugby player, an outstanding captain and an excellent leader on and off the field," RA boss Rob Clarke said.
"The way he conducts himself is a credit to him and the values he lives his life by, and we congratulate him on his achievement.
"All our winners thoroughly deserve the accolades in what has been a challenging 2020."
RUGBY AUSTRALIA AWARDS
* Women's Sevens Player of the Year: Sharni Williams
* Men's Sevens Player of the Year: Nick Malouf
* Super W Player of the year: Ema Masi
* Super Rugby AU Player of the Year: Taniela Tupou
* Referee of the Year: Amy Perrett
* Rookie of the year: Harry Wilson
* Spirit of Rugby Award: Garry Quinlivan
* John Eales Medal: Michael Hooper
