The Growden Medal
Folau stunning, but Higginbotham clings to top spot
Greg Growden
June 8, 2015
Folau made easy work of the Cheetahs defence to score hat-trick of tries © Getty Images
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Israel Folau produced one of his best efforts in weeks to transform the Waratahs into a try scoring machine and be the Australian player of the round. Folau finished with a hat-trick of tries, enabling the Waratahs to get the bonus point and stay on top of the Australian conference.

Cheetahs 33-58 Waratahs (video available in Australia only)
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With one round to go, Rebels captain Scott Higginbotham and Brumbies flanker David Pocock are vying for the medal. There are just two points between them.

The try of the round goes to Waratahs flanker Michael Hooper, who was at the end of an excellent backline move against the Cheetahs.

Force v Brumbies

7: Nic White (Brumbies), David Pocock (Brumbies)

6.5: Rory Arnold (Brumbies)

6: Zack Holmes (Force)

Rebels v Bulls

7.5: Sean McMahon (Rebels)

7: Lopeti Timani (Rebels), Luke Jones (Rebels)

6.5: Scott Higginbotham (Rebels), Colby Faingaa (Rebels)

Reds v Chiefs

As standard was so poor, no Reds players received votes.

Cheetahs v Waratahs

8.5: Israel Folau (Waratahs)

7: Michael Hooper (Waratahs), Matt Carraro (Waratahs)

6.5: Bernard Foley (Waratahs)

PROGRESS POINTS:

68.5: Scott Higginbotham (Rebels)

66.5: David Pocock (Brumbies)

59.5: Will Genia (Reds)

56.5: Nic White (Brumbies)

55.5: Michael Hooper (Waratahs)

50: Bernard Foley (Waratahs)

48: Ben McCalman (Force)

43: Nic Stirzaker (Rebels)

40.5: Nick Phipps (Waratahs)

37: Israel Folau (Waratahs)

36: Christian Lealiifano (Brumbies)

35.5: Liam Gill (Reds), Sean McMahon (Rebels)

34.5: Scott Fardy (Brumbies), Luke Jones (Rebels)

34: Mike Harris (Rebels), Adam Thomson (Reds)

33.5: Samu Kerevi (Reds)

32.5: Sam Carter (Brumbies)

28.5: Jordy Reid (Rebels), Will Skelton (Waratahs)

28: Lopeti Timani (Rebels)

27.5: Matt Hodgson (Force)

21.5: Robbie Coleman (Brumbies), Jack Debreczeni (Rebels)

21: Alby Mathewson (Force), Adam Ashley-Cooper (Waratahs)

20.5: Tevita Kuridrani (Brumbies)

19.5: Adam Coleman (Force), Mitch Inman (Rebels), Henry Speight (Brumbies), Dane Haylett-Petty (Force), Zac Holmes (Force)

19: Lachie Turner (Reds)

16: Quade Cooper (Reds)

15: Stephen Hoiles (Waratahs)

14.5: Jarrad Butler (Brumbies), Kurtley Beale (Waratahs), Wycliff Palu (Waratahs), James O'Connor (Reds), Stephen Moore (Brumbies), Matt Carraro (Waratahs)

14: Scott Sio (Brumbies), Steve Mafi (Force), Dave Dennis (Waratahs)

13.5: Nick Frisby (Reds), Kyle Godwin (Force), Rory Arnold (Brumbies), Colby Faingaa (Rebels)

13: Tamati Ellison (Rebels), Sefanaia Naivalu (Rebels), James Hanson (Reds), Dom Shipperley (Rebels)

12.5: Joe Tomane (Brumbies)

12: Rob Horne (Waratahs)

8: Luke Burgess (Rebels), Ben Alexander (Brumbies)

7: Jarrad Butler (Brumbies), Sam Talakai (Reds), Matt Toomua (Brumbies), Chris Alcock (Force), Jake Schatz (Reds), Peter Betham (Waratahs), Adam Korczyk (Reds), Paul Alo-Emile (Rebels), Blake Enever (Brumbies), Tatafu Polota-Nau (Waratahs), Jacques Potgieter (Waratahs), Jesse Mogg (Brumbies), Ryan Louwrens (Force), Ita Vaea (Brumbies)

6.5: Angus Cottrell (Force), Scott Fuglistaller (Rebels), Jordan Smiler (Brumbies), Taiqele Naiyaravoro (Waratahs)

6: Sias Ebersohn (Force), Tom English (Rebels)

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