Wallabies legend John Eales to be immortalised with statue
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Former Queensland and Wallabies captain John Eales will be immortalised in bronze as the next statue at Suncorp Stadium.
The striking statue will capture second rower Eales being lifted by another player as he catches a lineout ball. The design will allow fans to pose for pictures, holding Eales’ legs and helping to “lift” in the lineout.
Sculpted by artist Liam Hardy, who created the Mal Meninga and Arthur Beetson statues at the northern end of the stadium, the statue is planned to be unveiled at the southern end before the Wallabies September Test Match against South Africa.
Eales said he was humbled by the recognition.
“This is an incredible honour, but I think it’s more about recognising the contribution the game has made than anything I’ve done,” he said.
“It’s also a recognition of the joy and excitement our game has brought to millions of Queenslanders.”
Former Queensland and @qantaswallabies captain John Eales will be immortalised in bronze as the next statue at @suncorpstadium.#QueenslandLegend #RedsFamily pic.twitter.com/eZWSquVgZW
— Queensland Reds (@Reds_Rugby) May 28, 2018
Queensland Minister for Sport Michael de Brenni said Eales was the perfect choice to commemorate Rugby’s contribution to Suncorp Stadium.
“He was the captain of the first Wallabies team to play at this venue, against the All Blacks in 1996,” he said.
“John Eales is a Rugby legend, and we are very proud of him for all he has achieved for Queensland, Australia and in the community.
“This bronze statue will ensure he will be at Suncorp Stadium forever, and it is nothing less than John deserves for all he has done for his State and his country.”
John Eales earned 86 Test caps for the Wallabies, 55 as captain, and was capped 109 times for Queensland, 16 as captain, in an 11-year career.
He is one of only five Australians to have won two Rugby World Cups, captaining the victorious 1999 side, and led Queensland to two Super Rugby championships.
Eales is the highest scoring Test forward in history with 173 points, all but nine of them – one four-point and one five-point try – coming from his kicking.
Eales scored 611 points for Queensland, 10 tries, 101 conversions and 121 penalties.
