A hero of the last Lions tour to Australia will again be involved when Britain and Ireland’s elite head Down Under in 2013.
Former Wallaby skipper George Gregan has been elected to the Australian Rugby Union board a year out from the mouth-watering series against the world’s most famous touring team.
The 38-year-old starred in all three internationals against the Lions in 2001, guiding his country to a 2-1 success in what proved to a truly sensational series.
And now Gregan, who holds the record for the highest number of Test appearances in world rugby with a staggering 139 caps, will be heavily involved once more after replacing Mark Connors on the nine-man panel as the Rugby Union Players' Association (RUPA) representative.
"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," said RUPA CEO Greg Harris, who admitted he was impressed with Gregan’s business interests since ending his Test career in 2007.
"Not many players gain simultaneous applause about their achievements on the field and also their career success post-rugby.
"George's unique understanding of the game and the players, matched with his unquestionable business acumen, make him a very valuable asset for Australian Rugby."
Those sentiments were echoed by Australian Rugby Union chairman Peter McGrath, who is convinced Gregan will help the Green and Gold move forward both on and off the field.
"George is one of the most-decorated players in the history of our game," added McGrath.
"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.
"He 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."
Gregan joins three other former Wallabies on the ARU Board, with 1999 World Cup winning captain and the Lions tamer John Eales sitting alongside Michael Hawker and Brett Robinson.
He will be officially appointed to his new position at the Union’s annual general meeting in Sydney on April 27.
