Gregan joins ARU Board
The most-capped player and former Wallaby captain George Gregan will join the Board of the Australian Rugby Union, the ARU said Monday.
Gregan, 38, capped an international record 139 times for the Wallabies up to his retirement in 2007, is to replace Wallaby forward Mark Connors, who has served as the Rugby Union Players' Association's nominee, the ARU said.
"The RUPA Board has spent considerable time discussing the best past player to be nominated for this position on the Board steering the game and we were unanimous that George was the most credentialed and experienced candidate," RUPA chief executive Greg Harris said.
Gregan joins three other former Wallabies on the ARU Board - the 1999 World Cup-winning captain John Eales, Michael Hawker and Brett Robinson.
ARU Chairman Peter McGrath thanked Connors for his valuable and long standing contribution as a Director on the ARU Board.
Connors will step down at the Annual General Meeting in Sydney on April 27, having completed his term as the Rugby Union Players Association appointment to the nine-man ARU Board.
Gregan's elevation to the Board will take effect following the ARU AGM.
"I want to extend my personal thanks and those of my other directors for the outstanding contribution Mark Connors has made over the past five years," said McGrath.
"His knowledge and insights on the playing side of the game, combined with the business acumen he has brought to the table, has made him a valued member of the Board.
"I would also like to congratulate George on his imminent appointment to the Board. He is one of the most decorated players in the history of our game.
"No player from any country has made more Test appearances - winning 139 international caps from 1994 to 2007.
"George was part of the successful Rugby World Cup team in 1999 and captained the Wallabies to the final in 2003.
"He has played in winning Bledisloe Cup sides and was part of the back to back Tri-Nations triumphs in 2000 and 2001.
"George has also established himself as a successful businessman post-Rugby so is ideally placed to make a further and important contribution to Australian Rugby in the years ahead."