C
Cymro
Guest
Full Name: John Eales
D.O.B: 27 June, 1970
Position: Second Row
Country: Australia (86 Caps, 173 Points)
Clubs: Brothers Rugby Club and Queensland Reds
I thought Iââ'¬â"¢d nominate the Australian player I thought was probably more deserving than almost any other; John ââ'¬ËœNobodyââ'¬â"¢ Eales.
John Eales achieved absolutely everything in international Rugby and is widely regarded as one of international rugbyââ'¬â"¢s most prestigious players. Eales started his international career as a pivotal part of Australiaââ'¬â"¢s 1991 RWC Championship, and though there were some mean years to follow greater things would also certainly come. He was made captain of the Wallabies in 1996, a move that was controversial at the time amid claims he was ââ'¬Å"too mild mannedââ'¬Â to lead an international rugby teamââ'¬Â¦ those claims were soon to be put to bed however, as Eales captained the Wallabies to their second RWC win in 1999 RWC, a win in which the team conceded only a single try in the whole tournament. Over the next couple of years following their RWC win Eales led Australia to several incredible victories, including the 2000 Bledisloe Cup final in Wellington in which he nailed a last minute penalty to seal the match, an event which was replicated in Durban when Mortlock kicked a last minute goal to hand Australia and Eales the Tri Nations Championship for the first time ever. Then in 2001 Eales led Australia to a thrilling series win over a British and Irish Lions side dubbed ââ'¬Ëœthe best Lions team everââ'¬â"¢. This incredible streak meant that at one point under Eales the Wallabies held every single trophy they were contesting! Not a bad effort for a country with a rugby playing population one third of South Africaââ'¬â"¢s and a sixth of Englandââ'¬â"¢s! It was for this reason Eales was nicknamed ââ'¬ËœNobodyââ'¬â"¢, because ââ'¬ËœNobodyââ'¬â"¢s perfectââ'¬â"¢. Ealesââ'¬â"¢ leadership and grace did not stop at the field however, and he was well respected by almost everyone in world rugby because of his incredible composure, prowess and for the respect he showed to all his opponents and even the media. It was this grace which earnt him another name; ââ'¬Ëœthe gentleman captainââ'¬â"¢.
It is for these reasons that I believe that John ââ'¬ËœNobodyââ'¬â"¢ Eales is a candidate for the Hall of Fame that simply cannot be overlooked.
Original nomination by sanzar
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D.O.B: 27 June, 1970
Position: Second Row
Country: Australia (86 Caps, 173 Points)
Clubs: Brothers Rugby Club and Queensland Reds
I thought Iââ'¬â"¢d nominate the Australian player I thought was probably more deserving than almost any other; John ââ'¬ËœNobodyââ'¬â"¢ Eales.
John Eales achieved absolutely everything in international Rugby and is widely regarded as one of international rugbyââ'¬â"¢s most prestigious players. Eales started his international career as a pivotal part of Australiaââ'¬â"¢s 1991 RWC Championship, and though there were some mean years to follow greater things would also certainly come. He was made captain of the Wallabies in 1996, a move that was controversial at the time amid claims he was ââ'¬Å"too mild mannedââ'¬Â to lead an international rugby teamââ'¬Â¦ those claims were soon to be put to bed however, as Eales captained the Wallabies to their second RWC win in 1999 RWC, a win in which the team conceded only a single try in the whole tournament. Over the next couple of years following their RWC win Eales led Australia to several incredible victories, including the 2000 Bledisloe Cup final in Wellington in which he nailed a last minute penalty to seal the match, an event which was replicated in Durban when Mortlock kicked a last minute goal to hand Australia and Eales the Tri Nations Championship for the first time ever. Then in 2001 Eales led Australia to a thrilling series win over a British and Irish Lions side dubbed ââ'¬Ëœthe best Lions team everââ'¬â"¢. This incredible streak meant that at one point under Eales the Wallabies held every single trophy they were contesting! Not a bad effort for a country with a rugby playing population one third of South Africaââ'¬â"¢s and a sixth of Englandââ'¬â"¢s! It was for this reason Eales was nicknamed ââ'¬ËœNobodyââ'¬â"¢, because ââ'¬ËœNobodyââ'¬â"¢s perfectââ'¬â"¢. Ealesââ'¬â"¢ leadership and grace did not stop at the field however, and he was well respected by almost everyone in world rugby because of his incredible composure, prowess and for the respect he showed to all his opponents and even the media. It was this grace which earnt him another name; ââ'¬Ëœthe gentleman captainââ'¬â"¢.
It is for these reasons that I believe that John ââ'¬ËœNobodyââ'¬â"¢ Eales is a candidate for the Hall of Fame that simply cannot be overlooked.
Original nomination by sanzar
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