Rugby videos of tackles, tries, funny incidents and more: George Gregan interviewed after the loss to England

Thursday, October 11, 2007

George Gregan interviewed after the loss to England

With the Wallabies out of the World Cup, we say goodbye to two great players that marked an era of Wallaby success that included a World Cup win in '99, success in the Tri Nations, and Super 14 dominance with the Brumbies for many years.

One of the best halfback pairings for a long time, Stephen Larkham and George Gregan were practically an institution at the Brumbies and the Wallabies. So much so that Chris Whitaker, Gregan's understudy at international level, is the most capped player to start off the bench.

Larkham was unfortunately injured for most of the tournament, which I feel played a huge role in the Australian machine not being able to fire on all cylinders on saturday. Without Larkham and Gregan working their magic for a final time, we sadly bid farewell to the maestros that partnered eachother 78 times at international level.

For fourteen years of service to Wallaby and international rugby, George Gregan will not be seen again in the gold jersey and that is understandably difficult for him, especially ending it the way they did on saturday.

Often misunderstood and disliked by the opposition fans, Gregan will be remembered not only for his commanding scrumhalf play, but as one of the great gentleman of the game who always acted with respect and dignity off the field.

In this exclusive interview from rugby.com.au, George Gregan, the most capped international player ever, speaks about the dissapointment of losing this vital match. He also reflects on what went wrong, and the emotions involved in playing his final game for his country.

"The aspect of sport that you learn is that you have your good times and your bad times, but you share it with great people."

Labels: George Gregan, World Cup 2007

Gregan was playing scrumhalf for Australia before I even knew what the game was. He was still a Wallaby when I was captain of the First XV four years later. And six years later as I sit here writing this he is just now finished as Wallaby. What a champ!

By Anonymous, at October 11, 2007 10:50 pm
Good interview, someone post up McCaw's reaction after the France match. Cheers

By Anonymous, at October 11, 2007 11:10 pm
Where was the well done England. Or fair [lay to England you arrogant Aussie c**ts

By Anonymous, at October 11, 2007 11:54 pm
Well done England shut the hell up. That's one game this guy been paying rugby for 14 years show the man some respect. He was a great player and more English people need to be like him, and I'm American.

By Hendrick, at October 12, 2007 5:02 am
Sir Gregan at is best, pure class in every word.

By Anonymous, at October 12, 2007 5:22 am
Gonna miss larkham

By Anonymous, at October 12, 2007 5:34 am
Ha Ha Ha he looks very upset. people always say that northern hemisphere teams are shit well U SHUT UP, New Zealand and Ausatralia are out and France(boo) and England(COME ON ENGLAND) are through.
COME ON ENGLAND AT THE WEEKEND!!!

By Anonymous, at October 12, 2007 7:44 am
France FTW. And Gregan is pure class. That was a classic quote at the end, and it will be quoted I'm sure.

By Anonymous, at October 12, 2007 7:52 am
George Gregan is now at Toulon, France, he will probably play the first season match on october,27. Or the next week. Anton Oliver and Victor Matfield will soon join him. As Saimone Taumoepeau and Tusi Pisi after the ANZC and Lawrence Sephaka (Lions) and Francois Von Shouwenberg (Bulls) after the Currie Cup. Note : it had to be the last season of George Gregan as player, but in certain circonstances, he said he could be able to play one more year.

By Anonymous, at October 12, 2007 11:55 am
Where was the well done England. Or fair [lay to England you arrogant Aussie c**ts
Isn't there some football you could be watching?
Where have all you chav scum suddenly come from - pretending you "support" rugby?

By Anonymous, at October 12, 2007 11:56 am
great player and great interview. Only thing that's missing is a little well done to the opposition, you guys don't seem to do that in the South H. Shame to see him go and always enjoyed it when we played Australia with Gregan at 9 even if he was intensely annoying. Good luck to him.

By Anonymous, at October 12, 2007 3:08 pm
Yeah, Gregan is a true champion alright. He has copped a bit of flak over the last couple of years, but that always happens when your foward pack is on the back foot. He makes clearing off the deck look a piece of cake, when many international halfbacks struggle to do it.
Good on ya mate.

By Anonymous, at October 12, 2007 8:46 pm
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

By Anonymous, at October 13, 2007 3:30 pm
isn't gregan the best scrum half of all time?

By Anonymous, at October 13, 2007 3:37 pm
Yes the man is a legend of the game. But have to agree, he should have given England some credit. As for the American, isnt the game of rugby to quick for you? No cheerleaders, or gals selling Hotdogs and popcorn to people so fat the stadiums are twice as big because the seats are twice as big for your fat arses!!!!

By Anonymous, at October 13, 2007 5:57 pm
"isn't gregan the best scrum half of all time?"
The second, just behind Jerome Gallion :p

By Anonymous, at October 14, 2007 9:27 am
Question: How do you lose a wallaby?

Answer: Fit a Stirling Mortlock.

Question: What’s the difference between a Wallaby and a teabag?

Answer: A teabag stays in the cup longer!

Question: Why do the Wallabies differ from a woman’s bra?

Answer: They have lots of support, but no cup.

Shit spelling in the next one but hey....
Before the Rugby World Cup Quarter-Final between England and Australia, kindergarten teacher Bronwyn tells her class she’s a BIG Wallabies fan. She’s really excited about the upcoming match and asks he kids if they’ll be supporting the Wallabies too.

Everyone wants to impress the teacher, so they all say they will, except for one boy named Charles.

The teacher looks surprised at Charles and says, “Charles…you’re WON’T be supporting the Wallabies?”

He says, “No way, I’m a huge England fan!”

She says, “Why do you support England and not Austrlia?”

Charles says, “My mum is English, and so is my dad, so I support England.”

The teacher’s not very happy with that explanation…..and she gets a little annoyed with young Charles.

She says, “Well, if your mums an idiot, and your dads a moron, then what would you be?!”

Charles says, “Well, then I’d support Australia.”

By Anonymous, at October 14, 2007 1:53 pm
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

By Anonymous, at October 24, 2007 5:12 pm
piss off you wankers having a go at gregan whats he ever done to you?

By Anonymous, at December 22, 2007 9:46 am
wow!! he has 1 boring voice

By Anonymous, at January 14, 2008 2:57 pm
enough with the english posting comments saying "aussies are C**ts blah blah" youre making us look bad!

fair play to gregan, great player and will be missed in the world of rugby..

By Anonymous, at January 22, 2008 9:36 pm
you have to show respect to the great man. everything he says and does on a pitch that people dislike him for is for a purpose, nobody could get under your skin like gregan. this interview shows the other side to his character, gentle, eloquent and humble. quality

By Anonymous, at January 25, 2008 2:12 pm
all you people dissing gregan are dickheads hes a great man and a great player

gonna miss ya

By Anonymous, at February 06, 2008 7:40 am
I must say, this video did alot to change my outlook on Gregan.

Drove me nuts as an opposition fan -- an f'n pest in the way every top class #9 should be..

But off the pitch, class guy... He should have a bright future in the years to come, be it as an analyst or something else.

Classy, telegenic, and chooses his words carefully.

Good on him.

By Anonymous, at February 07, 2008 6:13 pm