John Eales

Former Queensland and Australia lock John Eales will be remembered as one of the all-time great rugby players. His retirement from Rugby in September 2001 marked the end of an era for the Australian game. Not only is he the third-most capped Wallaby ever; he is also the most capped Wallaby captain.

John participated in two successful World Cup campaigns; captained the Wallabies in memorable victories including the 1999 World Cup; led Australia through four successive years of Bledisloe Cup wins and two successful seasons of Tri-Nations fixtures and he also led the Wallabies to the first ever defeat of the British and Irish Lions.

Eales has been a great ambassador for the sport and his sense of fair play and genial nature made him one of the most respected figures in world rugby.

In a career that spanned 10 years, John played 86 Tests for Australia, captaining them on 55 occasions accumulating 173 test points. During this time he was regarded as the most outstanding forward in world rugby. His athleticism and natural leadership qualities making him an automatic selection in any World XV.

On news of his retirement, tributes flooded in from far and wide. Australian Prime Minister John Howard said: 'I wish to record my admiration for the magnificent contribution that John Eales has made to the game of rugby, and to Australian and international sport. John Eales has been an inspirational leader, an outstanding and courageous player, and an example to all in the way he has conducted himself on and off the field'.

In 2002, John started a new phase in his life transferring his leadership skills to the corporate world. John is an executive of the BT Financial Group, an Ambassador of the Australian Rugby Union and was spokesman for VISA International during their sponsorship of the 2003 Rugby World Cup.