As the captain of the last Wallabies team to win the Rugby World Cup, Eales has been afforded almost every award imaginable, even though he remains loath to accept credit for the team’s successes.Eales just doesn’t view his individual achievements the same way everyone else does, so when he was given the ultimate honour and officially elevated to the status as a Legend of Australian Sport, he had some reconciling to do.“It’s a great honour and very humbling, but rugby is a team game,” he told News Corp.“It’s unfair to recognise individuals but I could nominate a lot more people from rugby that would be more worthy than me.“I think this is more of a recognition for the whole game so from that’s perspective, it’s great that rugby is being recognised.”
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Eales becomes just the 42nd Australian to be bestowed as a Legend – joining an honour roll that includes the likes of Don Bradman, Dawn Fraser, Jack Brabham and Cathy Freeman.It’s reserved for the best of the best and despite his reluctance, Eales ticks every box to warrant his lace among the greats.He was a member of the Wallabies side that won the World Cup in 1991 and was skipper of the team that won in 1999.During his 86 Test appearances, he helped the Wallabies win every trophy on offer, including the Bledisloe Cup and the Tri-Nations and a historic series win over the British and Irish Lions.At times, he made it all look so easy – whether he was winning lineouts or kicking penalty goals – but he was also on the wrong end of two Australia’s worst ever defeats (43-6 against New Zealand in 1996 and 61-22 against South Africa in 1997).“When you look from the outside, it can look like plain sailing because people remember the moments when you lift the World Cup but don’t always remember the losses you have along the way,” he said.
“Success in sport is never a straight or easy line, it’s a journey that requires a lot of self discipline and also a lot of support from a lot of people.“In my case, there were a huge number of people that I turned to at different times for support – some who would be well known but also others that no-one would ever know because they had nothing to do with rugby, but were just as instrumental in either helping myself or the team through those moments.“All sports people have their physical challenges but mentally it’s tough to get to the top. The greatest competitor you have a lot of time is the doubts you have in your own mind.”Eales considers himself fortunate to have played in a golden era for Australian sports, not just in rugby but in many other sports.He often confided in Steve Waugh, the Australian cricket captain, and took inspiration from Australia’s netballers, tennis players, and even surfers who were racking up as many wins as the Wallabies.
Tri Nations: The Wallabies and the Pumas played out a 15-15 draw in their clash at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle.
Eales hung up his rugby boots almost 20 years ago and while he’s kept himself busy ever since, the global pandemic has been one of the first times he’s been able to reflect on the importance of sport and his team’s achievements.“I think COVID has really helped me appreciate how much we all love sport, not just at the elite level but also just watching kids go out and play,” he said.“It’s reminded me that what we achieved all those years ago is much greater than just you or your team. “You were part of something really special that brought a lot of joy to a lot of people and that’s the most satisfying part of all.”
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