World of Boxing and Rugby Union
Blindside Flanker
5. George Smith
The industrious George Smith was 'Mr Consistent' for Australia from his debut against France in 2000 to his last appearance in the green and gold against Wales in 2009. In the process he became the Wallabies' most capped forward, eclipsing the mark of the legendary John Eales. That in itself is reason to be included on this list.
One of an elite group of players to have made his professional and international debuts in the same year, his work rate and skills in the loose in particular saw him cement a reputation as one of the sport's leading players.
He was signed to the ACT Brumbies and made his Super Rugby bow in 2000, just two weeks into the campaign against the Sharks at Canberra Stadium. Later that season he would score a try in his side's narrow Super 12 Final loss to the Crusaders.
In a remarkable year, Smith was also capped for the first time on the Wallabies end of year tour against France at the Stade de France in Paris. Smith and the Brumbies clinched their first Super 12 crown the following year with a comprehensive victory over the Sharks.
Further praise came later that year when he celebrated his 21st birthday with a man-of-the-match performance against the British & Irish Lions in the third and deciding Test in Sydney.
In 2002, his Brumbies side were edged out in the Super 12 Final but his excellent form saw him named as the first recipient of the John Eales Medal, awarded by the Australian Rugby Union and the Rugby Union Players' Association to their Player of the Year.
He had been favoured at No.8 for the early part of his international career before switching to blindside-flanker in 2003. As part of the Wallabies' 2003 Rugby World Cup squad he started all seven games, culminating with the final defeat to England.
More domestic success followed in 2004 with the Brumbies edging out arch-rivals the Crusaders in the Super 12 Final. Over the next couple of years he was utilised at No.8, blindside and eventually openside.
In 2005, he played his 50th Test against France and was also selected in the starting line-up for the Australia Rugby Union's Wallabies' Team of the Decade. The following year he played in 12 of the 13 Wallaby Tests and was named vice captain for the first time against Italy in Rome.
In 2007 Smith took part in his second Rugby World Cup and featured in four of the Wallabies' five matches in France - including becoming the 75th Australian Test captain when he led the side against Canada. In 2008 but Smith retained his spot in the Wallabies' side and he cemented his place in the record books by surpassing Eales' mark for an Australia forward against South Africa in the opening match of the Tri-Nations in Perth.
Smith ended speculation regarding his playing future in early 2010 stating he was retiring from international rugby with immediate effect in order to spend more time with his young family - 10 years after making his debut against France.
He made a surprise return to the Super Rugby stage with the Brumbies in 2013 having been temporarily released by Suntory and his form saw him return to the Wallabies line-up for the visit of the British & Irish Lions.