A decorated career defined by acts of strength and bravery, coupled with unmatched leadership on and off the rugby field.
A member of the Sport Australia Hall of Fame and elevated to legend status in 2020, John Eales led the Wallabies in their quest to become the world’s number one rugby team, and stands as an all-time great of rugby union.As the Wallabies prepare to step back onto the MCG for the first time since 2007, John Eales recently returned to the ‘G, reflecting on past glory and the significance of playing at the largest sporting stadium in Australia, home to everlasting sporting moments having hosted events between some of the fiercest sporting rivalries – with none more fierce than the rivalry between the Wallabies and the All Blacks.
Australia experienced success against New Zealand on two occasions at the MCG - in 1998 and 2007 – both momentous occasions for Australian sport. This month the Wallabies return to the iconic ground with the opportunity to reclaim past success.
Watch the interview here
John on the Wallabies and All Blacks rivalry:
“One of the great things about rugby as a game is it’s very much of a social game as much as it’s a professional game. It’s played all around the world and there’s a very welcoming approach from everyone – it’s a very inclusive sport – there’s space for everyone.On the field it’s tough, the rivalry is as strong and as fierce as any sport, but once you get off the field that really is put aside.”
Lessons as captain:
“1996 in Wellington, it was my first test as captain against the All Blacks, and it was Australia’s worst ever defeat in rugby – that’s not a great thing to have on your resume.The following week against the Springboks – world champions, hadn’t been beaten in their lead up to World Cup and since winning the World Cup the year before. We knew that was going to be a tough game.
We spoke a lot in the team about how disappointed we were in our personal performance, but we also knew if we took personal responsibility for what we had to do that week and held each other to account that was the key to us being able to turn it round.
While it was probably the most disappointing game I had been involved in the week before, the game the following week was one of the most important games in my career.
We were able to beat the team who were the best team in the world – we beat them at our home, and we were able to turn around what was a pretty ordinary week.”
John on having his item on display in the Australian Sports Museum:
“It’s a huge honour, it’s very humbling to have one of my jerseys sitting here in such a prestigious place here at the MCG, which really is such an iconic place for Australian sport - it’s been an important place for rugby over the years.To have a piece of my gear amongst some of the other memorabilia here is quite amazing.
I was a great student of sport - I read all about it, the first part of the paper I read every day was the sports pages, I read a lot of history of sport.
I always had a really good understanding of the importance of sport in Australia but also the importance of some of the people in Australia.
A large part of the reason I loved rugby was because of the history of it and the fabric of the game. It was a game that was very much about the people as much about the game itself.
It’s a special game with a special culture.”
You can see John’s jersey at the Australian Sports Museum located inside Gate 3 of the MCG.
To recognise the significance of the Wallabies and All Blacks return to the MCG, MCG Tours will operate on Saturday July 29 – the day of the opening test of the Bledisloe Cup at the ‘G - book now!
Click here to purchase your tickets to the opening match of the Bledisloe Cup and find all relevant match day information.
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