One of the great rugby union nations, Australia have produced some of the greatest players in the history of the game. The Wallabies have enjoyed huge success, winning the Rugby World Cup on two occasions in 1991 and 1999.
Some of rugby’s all-time greats have represented Australia over the years, with players from the legendary 1990s squad featuring on this list alongside modern day heroes.
Greatest Australian Rugby Players Of All Time
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John Eales
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David Campese
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David Pocock
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George Gregan
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Michael Hooper
As we approach the 2027 Rugby World Cup, those who bet on rugby will consider Australia as dark horses to lift the Webb Ellis Cup.
For the time being, let’s get stuck into the five greatest Wallabies to play the game. Australia fans will be hoping that the current crop can take inspiration from these rugby superstars…
5) Michael Hooper
Hooper, an Australian rugby superstar, is respected for his extraordinary talent and relentless work ethic. As a talented back-row player, he has consistently showed extraordinary ability in both offence and defence throughout his career.
He has performed admirably for both the Wallabies and his club sides, receiving plaudits for his lightning-quick reflexes, unwavering determination, and exceptional tackling abilities.
Due to his exceptional achievements and captain skills, Hooper has frequently been awarded the honour of leading the Australian national team.
4) George Gregan
With 139 caps, Gregan is Australia's most capped player and ranks fifth all-time in world rugby at international level.
Gregan made an incredible tackle on All Blacks wing Jeff Wilson as he dived for the line in his maiden season with the Wallabies. That stroke of brilliance was vital in Australia winning the Bledisloe Cup.
The scrum-half represented Australia in three Rugby World Cups and captained the Wallabies to the 2003 World Cup final, which they lost to England.
He received the Order of Australia in 2004, was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 2000, and was inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame in 2013.
3) David Pocock
Pocock, an Australian rugby great, is recognised for his remarkable flanking ability, despite the fact that the Wallabies failed to top the rugby world rankings during his stint in the team.
He is widely recognised as one of the best in his position, and he is highly known for his perseverance, strength, and terrifying presence during the breakdown. Due to his ability to ruin opposition moves and secure crucial turnovers, the Australian great was a force to be reckoned with.
Because of his unwavering passion to the sport and his leadership talents, Pocock is considered as a renowned figure in Australian rugby history.
2) David Camprese
Campese, who represented Australia, left an indelible mark on the sport with his exceptional talent.
Hailed as one of rugby's most imaginative and exciting wingers in history, Camprese wowed fans throughout his career with his unpredictable style of play.
His incredible try-scoring prowess and instinctive grasp of the game made him a potent force, and his contributions to Australian rugby and spectacular on-field performances sealed his status as one of the all-time best rugby players.
1) John Eales
Over a 10-year period, the forward appeared in 86 Australia Tests, starting all of them. In addition, Australia won nearly 80% of those matches and he captained his country for 55 of those games.
Eales won two World Cups in 1991 and 1999, both as captain, and was also a winning Wallabies series captain against the British and Irish Lions in 2001.
The second row kicked goals at Test level, most notably - and unusually for a lock forward - winning the Bledisloe Cup at the death in Wellington in 2000. Eales, a World Rugby Hall of Famer, is a regular in most people's World XVs.
*Credit for the photos in this article belongs to Alamy*
