Wallabies flyhalf Matt Giteau has received a timely tonic for recent woes, winning the John Eales Medal, Australian rugby's highest individual annual award.

Giteau became only the second back to win the honour in its eight-year history, replicating former Test fullback Chris Latham's success in 2006.

The star playmaker has admitted disappointment at being overlooked by coach Robbie Deans for the Wallabies vice-captaincy and is also believed to be under pressure to keep his prized No.10 jersey with new vice-captain Berrick Barnes in consideration.

Giteau was surprised he took out the award.

"I didn't expect it. I was actually a little bit surprised to be nominated in the top five," he said.

"Huge honour, very happy with it.

"As a player you are always your harshest critic. To be fair I thought I didn't have one of my strongest Tri-Nations but lucky the boys gave me some points."

Being voted the Wallabies best player of the past year by his teammates should be a handy boost for the 72-Test star's frame of mind heading into next week's Bledisloe Cup Test in Tokyo then the grand slam quest in Europe.

Giteau received 190 votes, well ahead of injured lock Nathan Sharpe who was second (162), while last year's winner George Smith (161) was third, ahead of form prop Benn Robinson (132) and utility back Adam Ashley-Cooper (106).

The medal was voted on by Wallabies players on a 3-2-1 basis after each Test from the start of the 2008 Spring Tour to Europe through to the end of the 2009 Tri Nations series last month.

Notably Robinson, a favourite to take out the John Eales Medal, was rewarded for an outstanding season by being crowned Wallaby of the Year.

The front-rower won the public vote after fans selected online their top performing player out of a nominated top five.

Unsurprisingly, Wallabies young gun James O'Connor was named Rookie of the Year following his meteoric rise to the Test ranks during last year's Spring Tour.

Adam Ashley Cooper, who provided the most exciting moment as the Wallabies struggled to a 1-5 record in the Tri-Nations, was awarded Try of the Year for his effort against the Springboks in Cape Town.

The 1991 World Cup winning captain Nick Farr-Jones was recognised for his services to the game with the Joe French Award.

Under 20s Player of the Year went to prop James Slipper and Stuart Dickinson was recognised as Referee of the Year.

Australian women's team star Debby Hodgkinson was a dual winner, taking out the Sevens Player of the Year and the Women's Player of the Year awards.

The Sevens Player of the Year award was introduced this year and named in honour of Shawn Mackay, the former Australian Sevens captain who was tragically killed after being struck by a car while on tour with the Brumbies in South Africa during the 2009 Super Rugby season.

The award was presented to Hodgkinson on Thursday night by Mackay's father John.

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