George Gregan’s middle name is Musarurwa. In essence it means ‘The Chosen One’ and Gregan was just that, given he represented Australia in a record 139 Tests. A brilliant on-field general, Gregan was resolute, determined, and fiercely dedicated. He was near-impregnable, tactically astute and an exceptional defender. Gregan was the Wallabies’ talisman. A diminutive halfback, Gregan was born in Lusaka, Zambia. At ten months of age, his family moved back to Australia and settled in the ACT. Gregan played rugby league until he started his school days at St Edmund’s College. He was an exceptional sportsman who earned a single-figure handicap in golf and played representative cricket. In 1992 he was offered and accepted a rugby scholarship to the Institute of Sport. That same year he represented Australia at U19s level and in 1993 he played U21s and debuted for the ACT. 

In 1994 Gregan made his Test debut against Italy in Brisbane. Three matches into his international career Gregan became a household name after he left an indelible mark on Australian rugby. In the one-off Bledisloe Cup Test in Sydney, and with only a few minutes left on the clock, Australia clung to a 20-16 lead. The All Blacks were on attack and winger Jeff Wilson received the ball some 30 metres out from the Wallaby line. Wilson stepped inside Damian Smith, evaded the tackle of David Wilson, stepped inside David Campese and was all but over the line to score what would have been the equalising try when he was corner-flagged by Gregan and dropped the ball. Australia hung on for a dramatic win

From that point on Gregan was a near permanent selection in the team. He missed just 17 Tests across 14 seasons. Chris Whitaker, who was Gregan’s deputy for much of his tenure, spent 48 full Tests patiently warming the bench behind him. Gregan played in four Rugby World Cups, winning the 1999 title. He won the Bledisloe Cup twice and retained it for four years. He also won two Tri Nations titles and two Super Rugby championships.

In 2004 Gregan was appointed to the Order of Australia for his services to rugby and in 2013 he was inducted into the IRB Hall of Fame. Gregan played a record 139 Tests for Australia and was captain for a record 59 matches in a decorated 14-year international career.