Why they rank here
One of only a handful of players to win the World Cup twice, and a lock so complete his team-mates nicknamed him 'Nobody', because nobody's perfect. Eales won the 1991 tournament as a 21-year-old and captained Australia to a second title in 1999, a rare feat of sustained excellence at the pinnacle. He was a supreme lineout forward and athlete, but his signature was almost unheard-of for a second-rower: he was a reliable goal-kicker, amassing 173 Test points and famously slotting a last-minute touchline penalty to beat New Zealand in 2000. He captained the Wallabies 55 times through their most successful era, leading with a calm authority that made him one of the sport's most respected figures. Two World Cups, the leadership of a golden Australian side, and a versatility no other great lock has matched place him firmly among the game's elite forwards.
Career profile
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