Gregan milestones honoured by Prime Minister

Wallabies Captain George Gregan will be honoured for two historic milestones he has achieved this year, at a private dinner at ARIA Restaurant in Sydney tonight.

In the company of the Hon. John Howard MP, Prime Minister of Australia and several Australian Rugby greats, Gregan will be formally recognised for becoming the most capped Test player in Rugby Union’s history and Australia’s leading Test Captain.

In a career that has encompassed three Rugby World Cups and several international tours, Australia’s pre-eminent scrumhalf has experienced substantial individual and team success.

Earlier this year, Gregan became the world’s most capped player Test player when he surpassed Jason Leonard’s record of 119 international caps for England and the British & Irish Lions, in the Wallabies’ 43-18 victory over England at Telstra Dome.

Gregan followed this achievement by becoming Australia’s leading Test Captain when he led the Wallabies to a 20-18 victory over South Africa in Sydney on August 5.

Former Wallaby Captain John Eales, who Gregan replaced as skipper in 2001, said he was pleased he could hand the mantle to someone like Gregan.

"Holding the record as Australia’s leading Test Captain was something I was very proud of, but I'm also very proud that someone like George can come through and take it," Eales said.

“It takes certain qualities to be able to lead a team like the Wallabies for so long, and to keep and hold the respect of teammates throughout the journey.”

Gregan said being Rugby’s most capped Test player and passing Eales’ captaincy record was a proud achievement.

“Having played under Ealesy, he was such a great leader and to achieve the record he once held is a fantastic honour,” said Gregan.

“Captaining the Wallabies has been extremely rewarding and something I have thoroughly enjoyed.”

“I’ve had some good luck and good management along the way. I’ve been very fortunate to have a career in a game I love, a game I started playing as a ten-year-old.”

Wallabies Head Coach John Connolly rates Gregan one of the best players and captains of his time.

"He's probably one of the most professional players I've ever coached," Connolly said.

"He practices and does extra work away from the field to prepare himself and he has the complete confidence and trust of the other players.”

"He's a player players want to play with, and there's probably no greater wrap as a player.”