George Musarurwa Gregan AM (born 19 April 1973 in Lusaka, Zambia) is an Australian rugby union scrum-half who has made more appearances for his national team than any other player in the sport's history. He has captained the team to many victories and he is respected throughout the rugby world for his tenacity, tactical skill, leadership ability, and sportsmanship. Gregan has played Super 12 (now Super 14) for the Brumbies since the inception of that competition in 1996, helping to lead them to overall victories in 2001 and 2004. He is a foundation Brumbies player and one of the few players whose career spans both the amateur and professional eras.^[1] His appearances as Australian captain include a Bledisloe Cup win in 2002 and an extra-time loss to England in the 2003 Rugby World Cup final. Gregan is a surname, and may refer to: George Gregan, Australian rugby player Sean Gregan, English footballer Gregan is a given name, and may refer to: Gregan McMahon Category: ... Lusaka is the capital and largest city of Zambia. ... For other uses, see Rugby (disambiguation). ... A rugby union team is made up of 15 players: eight forwards, numbered from 1 to 8; and seven backs, numbered from 9 to 15[1]. Depending upon the competition, there may be up to seven replacements. ... A rugby union team is made up of 15 players: eight forwards, numbered from 1 to 8; and seven backs, numbered from 9 to 15[1]. Depending upon the competition, there may be up to seven replacements. ... The Super 14 is the largest rugby union football club championship in the southern hemisphere, consisting of provincial teams from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. ... A cap is an appearance for a select team, such as a school, county or international team in sports. ... The Brumbies (formerly known as the ACT Brumbies, for sponsorship reasons referred to as CA Brumbies) are a Super 14 rugby union team based in Canberra, Australia and named for the wild horses which inhabit Canberras hinterland. ... Randwick District Rugby Union Football Club, also known as the Galloping Greens (after Randwick Racecourse) are one of the most famous rugby union clubs in the world. ... The following is a list of international rugby union teams: Any team added to this list should have a corresponding Category:International rugby union teams or Category:National rugby union teams link put into the bottom the article to keep the Category database up to date. ... St Edmunds College, is a private, Catholic, day school for boys, located in Manuka, a suburb of Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia. ... Insignia of a Companion of the Order of Australia. ... is the 109th day of the year (110th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the song by James Blunt, see 1973 (song). ... Lusaka is the capital and largest city of Zambia. ... For other uses, see Rugby (disambiguation). ... A rugby union team is made up of 15 players: eight forwards, numbered from 1 to 8; and seven backs, numbered from 9 to 15[1]. Depending upon the competition, there may be up to seven replacements. ... The Super 14 is the largest rugby union football club championship in the southern hemisphere, consisting of provincial teams from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. ... The Brumbies (formerly known as the ACT Brumbies, for sponsorship reasons referred to as CA Brumbies) are a Super 14 rugby union team based in Canberra, Australia and named for the wild horses which inhabit Canberras hinterland. ... First international (also the worlds first)  Scotland 4–1 England  (27 March 1871) Largest win  England 134–0 Romania  (17 November 2001) Worst defeat  Australia 76–0 England  (6 June 1998) The England national rugby union team is a sporting side that represents England in rugby union. ... The 2003 Rugby World Cup was the fifth rugby union world cup. ...

Early life

Gregan was born in Zambia, of a Zimbabwean mother and an Australian father ^[2], coincidentally in the same hospital where Corné Krige ^{[citation needed]}, who would grow up to be the South Africa captain during Gregan's Wallabies captaincy, would be born two years later. His family moved to Australia when he was one year old, and he grew up in Canberra where he was educated at St Edmund's College and graduated from the Bachelor of Education (Physical Education) University of Canberra. Corné Krige (born 21 March 1975 in Lusaka, Zambia) is a South African rugby union footballer who played flanker for Western Province in the Currie Cup, the Stormers in Super Rugby and the South African national side, the Springboks. ... For other uses, see Canberra (disambiguation). ... St Edmunds College, is a private, Catholic, day school for boys, located in Manuka, a suburb of Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia. ... The University of Canberra is an Australian university, located in Canberra, the capital of Australia. ...

Rugby career

Gregan represented Australia at under-19 and under-21 level.

1994 to 1999

He made his first appearance for the Wallabies in 1994 in a match against Italy in Brisbane, which the Wallabies won by three points, 23 to 20. He was subsequently capped in the victories over Italy again, and Western Samoa. First international  Australia 13 - 3 British and Irish Lions (24 June 1899) Largest win  Australia 142 - 0 Namibia  (25 October 2003) Worst defeat  South Africa 61 - 22 Australia  (23 August 1997) World Cup Appearances 5 (First in 1987) Best result Champions, 1991, 1999 The Australian national rugby union team is... First international  Western Samoa 0 - 6 Fiji  (18 August 1924) Largest win  Korea 3 - 74 Western Samoa  (1993) Worst defeat  Australia 73 -3 Western Samoa  (1994) World Cup Appearances 4 (First in 1991) Best result Quarter Finals, 1991, 1995 The national rugby union team of Samoa is called Manu Samoa...

Later that year, Gregan made a famous try-saving tackle on All Black Jeff Wilson that directly led to Australia winning the Bledisloe Cup that year and is much remembered as one of the greatest moments in the Wallabies-All Blacks rivalry.^[3] After two caps against Argentina the following season, Gregan had so far been on the winning side in all of his international games as Australia entered the 1995 World Cup in South Africa as defending champions. However, Australia made their exit at the quarter finals, losing 25 to 22 to England at Newlands in Cape Town. The All Blacks are the national rugby union representative team of New Zealand. ... Jeffrey William Wilson (born October 24, 1973 in Invercargill) is a New Zealand sportsman who has represented his country in both rugby union and cricket—a so-called Double All Black, an increasingly rare achievement in the professional era. ... The Bledisloe Cup Rugby Unions Bledisloe Cup is contested between Australias Wallabies and New Zealands All Blacks. ... The 1995 Rugby World Cup was the third Rugby World Cup. ... First international (also the worlds first)  Scotland 4–1 England  (27 March 1871) Largest win  England 134–0 Romania  (17 November 2001) Worst defeat  Australia 76–0 England  (6 June 1998) The England national rugby union team is a sporting side that represents England in rugby union. ... A Stormers Super 14 rugby match at Newlands. ... Nickname: Motto: Spes Bona (Latin for Good Hope) Location of the City of Cape Town in Western Cape Province Coordinates: , Country Province Municipality City of Cape Town Metropolitan Municipality Founded 1652 Government [1]  - Type City council  - Mayor Helen Zille  - City manager Achmat Ebrahim Area  - City 2,499 km²  (964. ...

The game went professional post-1995 World Cup, and one outcome of this was the formation of the Super 12, of which Gregan became a foundation player for the ACT Brumbies franchise. That season Gregan appeared eight times for the Wallabies, including solid wins over both Wales and Canada in Brisbane, scoring a try in the Canadian clash. Another outcome of professionalism was the formation of the Tri Nations Series between Australia, the All Blacks and South Africa. Gregan played in three of Australia's four fixtures at the first ever tournament, scoring a try in the 25 to 32 loss to the All Blacks in Brisbane. Super 14, or Super 12 as it was known from 1996 through 2005, is a Rugby Union championship competed for by teams from New Zealand, Australia and South Africa. ... The Brumbies (formerly known as the ACT Brumbies, for sponsorship reasons referred to as CA Brumbies) are a Super 14 rugby union team based in Canberra, Australia and named for the wild horses which inhabit Canberras hinterland. ... First international  England 30 – 0 Wales  (19 February 1881) Largest win  Japan 0 – 98 Wales  (26 November 2004) Worst defeat  South Africa 96 – 13 Wales  (27 June 1998) World Cup Appearances 5 (First in 1987) Best result Third 1987 The Wales national rugby union team (also referred to as the... The Tri Nations Series is an annual international Rugby Union series held between Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. ... The 1996 Tri Nations Series was contested from July 6 to August 10 between the Australia, New Zealand and South Africa national rugby union teams. ...

He was elevated to the vice-captaincy of the Wallabies in 1997. In the 1997 Tri Nations Series, Gregan scored a try in the opening game against the All Blacks, which was eventually lost 18 to 33, and the Wallabies won only one game, against South Africa, finishing at the bottom of the table. By the end of the year, Gregan was capped another four times. The 1997 Tri Nations Series was contested from July 19 to August 23 between the Australia, New Zealand and South Africa national rugby union teams. ...

After winning in two matches against the Irish, and one against England in the winter of 1999 at home, the Wallabies ended up finishing in the middle of the table for the 1999 Tri Nations Series (with Gregan having played in every match), though they were still favourable entering the 1999 World Cup held in Wales. Australia finished at the top of Pool E, winning all their games, with Gregan playing in the matches against Romania and Ireland, though he was rested in the final pool game against the USA. The Wallabies went onto defeat hosts Wales in the quarter finals at the new Millennium Stadium with Gregan scoring a try, putting Joe Roff into space and then taking the scoring pass, and enter the final after defeating defending champions South Africa in the semi-finals. The Wallabies became two-time World Champions after defeating France 35 to 12 in the final. The 1999 Tri Nations Series was contested from July 10 to August 28 between the Australia, New Zealand and South Africa national rugby union teams. ... The 1999 Rugby World Cup, the first to be held in rugby unions professional era,[2] was hosted by Wales, with some matches also played in England, France, Scotland and Ireland. ... This article is about the country. ... The Millennium Stadium (Welsh: Stadiwm y Mileniwm), is the national stadium of Wales, located in the capital Cardiff, and is used primarily for rugby union and football home internationals. ...

2001 to 2005

After the international retirement of John Eales in 2001, Gregan became the Wallabies captain. He was an obvious choice to fill the role, as it would be a natural progression from his position as vice-captain, as well as the fact that Gregan was a virtual automatic selection for the national team.^[4] John Eales AM (born 27 June 1970) is a former Australian rugby union footballer and arguably the most successful captain in the history of Australian Rugby. ...

Gregan played in all of Australia's six matches at the 2003 Rugby World Cup. Gregan landed an early drop goal in the close 17 to 16 victory over Ireland in the pool stages. He also scored a try in the 33 to 16 win over Scotland in the quarter-finals. He led the Wallabies into the final - defeating the All Blacks in the semi final only to lose to England in the final. He is remembered by New Zealand fans for his taunting of his opposite number Byron Kelleher as the match ended, saying those imfamous words "four more years boys, four more years". The 2003 Rugby World Cup was the fifth rugby union world cup. ... First international (also the worlds first)  Scotland 4 - 1 England  (27 March 1871) Largest win  Scotland 100 - 8 Japan  (13 November 2004) Worst defeat  Scotland 10 - 68 South Africa  (6 December 1997) World Cup Appearances 5 (First in 1987) Best result 4th 1991 The Scotland national rugby union team... First international  Australia 3 - 22 New Zealand  (15 August 1903) Largest win  New Zealand 145 - 17 Japan  (4 June 1995) Worst defeat  Australia 28 - 7 New Zealand  (28 August 1999) World Cup Appearances 5 (First in 1987) Best result Champions, 1987 This article is about the Rugby Union team. ... The 2003 Rugby World Cup was the fifth rugby union world cup. ... Byron Terrance Kelleher (born 3 December 1976 in Dunedin, New Zealand) is a New Zealand rugby union halfback for the New Zealand All Blacks, with whom he has played over 37 tests. ...

Following Australia's heartbreaking loss to the English in the World Cup, Gregan led the Wallabies on a massive winning campaign during the 2004 season. After defeating Scotland twice at home, the Wallabies faced the English in a World Cup replay in Brisbane, where they got their revenge, defeating England 51 to 15. Under Gregan, Australia lost just three matches in 2004, one against South Africa, one against New Zealand 16-7 in New Zealand and then against France in Paris. In June 2004, Gregan was appointed to the Order of Australia for his services to Rugby Union Football and in particular as the Captain of the Wallabies. Insignia of a Companion of the Order of Australia. ...

In July during the 2005 Tri Nations Series, Gregan ran out at Subiaco Oval in Perth against South Africa for his 100th Wallaby test.^[5] In October 2004, Gregan announced that his four-year-old son had epilepsy and has launched an epilepsy awareness campaign in Australia with the slogan 'Get on the Team'. He also took up the role of patron of Brainwave Australia. The 2005 Tri Nations Series, an annual rugby union competition between the national teams of Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, was the tenth in the series. ... Subiaco Oval (, ) is the major sports stadium in Perth, Western Australia. ... Location of Perth within Australia This article is about the metropolitan area of Perth, Western Australia. ...

Gregan missed a lot of the 2005 Super 12 season after breaking his leg during a game against the New South Wales Waratahs in Canberra. Gregan returned for the match against Italy in Melbourne, which the Wallabies won 61 to 29. Though after a win over the French and one over the Springboks, the Wallabies fell to the bottom of the 2005 Tri Nations Series table, losing all of their games. With his start in the final match of the 2005 Tri Nations at Eden Park in Auckland against the All Blacks, Gregan equalled England's Jason Leonard as the most-capped player for a national team in Test rugby, with 114 (Leonard also has five Lions caps). Appropriately, when Australia made their entrance for that match, Gregan went out on the field by himself before any of his team-mates entered the pitch. The 2005 season of the rugby union competition, the Super 12 began on February 25, 2005 and ended on May 28 with the final between the Crusaders and the Waratahs which was won by the Crusaders 35–25 at Jade Stadium in Christchurch. ... Official website www. ... The 2005 Tri Nations Series, an annual rugby union competition between the national teams of Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, was the tenth in the series. ... Eden Park is the main sports ground in Auckland, New Zealand for both rugby union during winter, and cricket in summer. ... For other uses, see Auckland (disambiguation). ... First international  Australia 3 - 22 New Zealand  (15 August 1903) Largest win  New Zealand 145 - 17 Japan  (4 June 1995) Worst defeat  Australia 28 - 7 New Zealand  (28 August 1999) World Cup Appearances 5 (First in 1987) Best result Champions, 1987 This article is about the Rugby Union team. ... Jason Leonard, MBE is a former England player who held the world record for international appearances for a national team until 2005, when it was surpassed only by Australias George Gregan. ... A cap is an appearance for a select team, such as a school, county or international team in sports. ... First match Otago 3 - 8 Lions (as Great Britain) (28 April 1888) Largest win Manawatu 6 - 109 Lions (28 June 2005) Worst defeat New Zealand 38 - 6 Lions (16 July 1983) Jonny Wilkinson taking a penalty for the Lions The British and Irish Lions (until 2001 known as the British...

On 5 November 2005, he earned his 115th cap, surpassing Leonard, when he led out the Wallabies at Stade Vélodrome in Marseille against France. The Wallabies lost the match 16 to 26. The French loss was followed by a meeting with the English at Twickenham, where England's superior scrummaging saw them also win 26 to 16. is the 309th day of the year (310th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... A cap is an appearance for a select team, such as a school, county or international team in sports. ... The Stade Vélodrome is a 60,031 capacity stadium in Marseille, France. ... City flag Coat of arms Motto: By her great deeds, the city of Massilia shines Location Coordinates Time Zone CET (GMT +1) Administration Country Region Provence-Alpes-Côte dAzur Department Bouches-du-Rhône (13) Subdivisions 16 arrondissements (in 8 secteurs) Intercommunality Urban Community of Marseille Provence M...

2006

In the first test of 2006, under new coach John Connolly, the Wallabies completed a solid win over England. Gregan came off the bench in the second half of the second Test in Melbourne as he earned his 120th international cap - setting a new world record. John Connolly (26 June 1951 in Brisbane) is a rugby union coach and the current head coach of the Wallabies. ... This article is about the Australian city; the name may also refer to City of Melbourne or Melbourne city centre. ...

After the matches against the English and Irish the Wallabies entered the 2006 Tri Nations Series. Two weeks later the All Blacks came to Brisbane for the Bledisloe Cup clash, in which Gregan equalled John Eales' record for most caps as captain of Australia, which is 55.^[6] In the subsequent match against South Africa in Sydney, Gregan pasted Eales' record, becoming the most capped Australian captain of all time.^[7] The Wallabies managed to scrape home 20 to 18. For the 2006 European Tour, Gregan was rested and Matt Giteau was given a chance at halfback. The 2006 Tri Nations Series, an annual rugby union competition between the national teams of Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, marked the tenth anniversary of the original competition. ... For other uses, see Brisbane (disambiguation). ... The Bledisloe Cup Rugby Unions Bledisloe Cup is contested between Australias Wallabies and New Zealands All Blacks. ... Matt Giteau (born on September 29, 1982 in Sydney, Australia) is an Australian rugby union footballer playing for the ACT Brumbies. ...

2007

On March 22, 2007, the French second-division club Toulon announced that it had signed Gregan to a contract for the 2007-08 season. He will arrive in France after the 2007 Rugby World Cup, and will reportedly be paid €400,000 for the season.^[8] is the 81st day of the year (82nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Rugby Pro D2, also known as Pro D2 is the second level of domestic club rugby union in France, below the first division, Top 14. ... RC Toulonnais (also known as RC Toulon or just Toulon) are a French professional rugby union based in Toulon in Provence-Alpes-Côte dAzur. ... The 2007 Rugby World Cup is the sixth Rugby World Cup, a quadrennial international rugby union world championship inaugurated in 1987. ...

Gregan played his last home game with the Brumbies on April 28, 2007; leading his team to a victory over the Canterbury Crusaders. Fittingly, this was also the last home game for his team mate Stephen Larkham, with whom he has shared many a memorable moment on the field. The two were sent off with the announcement that a stand at Canberra Stadium is to be named after them. ^{[citation needed]} is the 118th day of the year (119th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The Crusaders (formerly the Canterbury Crusaders) are a New Zealand Rugby Union team based in Christchurch, New Zealand, Jade Stadium, and representing the Buller, Tasman, West Coast, Canterbury, Mid Canterbury and South Canterbury unions. ... Stephen Larkham (born 29 May 1974, Canberra) is an Australian rugby union footballer with the Brumbies in the Super 14 and the Wallabies at international level. ...

He has again been selected as part of the Wallabies squad for the upcoming home tests against Wales and Fiji and the Tri-Nations Series, although he is no longer the Captain of the team and was on the reserves bench behind Matt Giteau for the Tests against Wales. Gregan did regain his starting spot for the first Tri-Nations game against South Africa, showing his class and longevity, as well as Australia's lack of depth at his position. The Wallabies' co-Captains are Phil Waugh and Stirling Mortlock but Waugh was dropped to the bench during the Tri-Nations in place of Gregan's Brumbies teammate George Smith, elevationg Mortlock to the captaincy. Matt Giteau (born on September 29, 1982 in Sydney, Australia) is an Australian rugby union footballer playing for the ACT Brumbies. ... Date of Birth: 22 September 1979 Place of Birth: Sydney, Australia Height: 1. ... Stirling Austin Mortlock (born 20 May 1977 in Sydney) is the current Australian Wallabies & ACT Brumbies Captain. ...

In June 2007, Greg Growden, Chief Rugby Correspondent for the Sydney Morning Herald said that "several high-ranking Australian Rugby Union sources told the Herald that Gregan was the "raging hot favourite" to be Australia's World Cup captain" ^[9] However, when the World Cup squad was announced, Mortlock was named Captain, whilst Waugh and Gregan were named vice captains. ... The Australian Rugby Union (ARU) is the governing body of rugby union in Australia. ...

References

is the 168th day of the year (169th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 210th day of the year (211th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 168th day of the year (169th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 210th day of the year (211th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 221st day of the year (222nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 81st day of the year (82nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st Century. ...

See also

• Wallaby Team of the Decade

To celebrate 10 years of professional rugby union, Australian Rugby celebrated the occasion with the announcement in 2005 of the Wallaby Team of the Decade. ...

External links

• George Gregan 'Get on the Team' website.
• George Gregan & Epilepsy Australia's First Aid for households campaign
• George Gregan on Sporting Heroes
• Piece about Gregan at BBC
• Another recent piece about Gregan at BBC
• Article on Gregan as a great footballer, not a great halfback