Shattered Aussie sporting legend John Eales reveals family secrets as he pays tribute to his mum after her death World Cup-winning champion's mother died aged 88 Leaves behind a legacy of caring and resilience Star has penned a touching tribute to his late mother By JOSH ALSTON FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA Published: 06:41, 11 November 2024 | Updated: 06:41, 11 November 2024 e-mail View comments Champion Wallabies captain John Eales squared off against some of the toughest men on the planet during his playing career, but he has revealed his mother was the real source of his strength in a touching tribute after her death. Rosa Eales passed away on October 31, aged 88, and Eales has penned a moving obituary for her. Eales was one of the greatest to ever lace up the boots for the Wallabies and was the last Australian captain to taste Bledisloe Cup success against the Kiwis.
He played 86 Tests for the Wallabies from 1991 to 2001, serving as captain in 55 of them along with leading Australia to World Cup glory in 1999. However, in a stunning revelation, Eales wrote that he did not want to play rugby as a child and had begged his mother to get him out of it while she was in hospital after giving birth to his sister Rosaleen. John Eales is pictured with his mother Rosa in front of the statue erected in his honour at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane 'The only games of rugby I had watched were between the Wallabies and the All Blacks and it all looked too rough for a kid that wasn't very tough.
