World Cup winner and former Wallabies captain to attend Byron Bay rugby lunch

A Rugby World Cup winner and former Wallabies captain will headline this year’s Old Tie Lunch at Byron Bay Bowling Club when John Eales visits the region later this month.

The lunch will be held on Friday May 29, with around 200 people expected to attend.

Eales, 55, is one of Australia’s most successful Wallabies, helping Australia win Rugby World Cups in 1991 and 1999.

Across his international career from 1991 to 2001, he earned 86 Test caps and became one of the most respected leaders in the modern game.

Eales’ appearance follows a recent speaking engagement at St John’s College Woodlawn, continuing his involvement in community and rugby focused events in the region.

The lunch has been running for 25 years, with Brian Donnellan and Andrew Hoolihan taking on the organising role in recent years.

“This is one of the biggest names we’ve had for a while, and I know he (Eales) spends a bit of time in the area,” Donnellan said.

“Andrew has contacts with Dan Herbert at Rugby Australia and they have been really supportive.

“We reach out to them each year to see who’s available and how they might be able to help.”

The lunch raises funds for junior representative players and teams from the Far North Coast zone.

In recent years, it has welcomed several high profile former Wallabies, including Nick Farr-Jones, Justin Harrison and Phil Waugh.

Most have gone on to careers in coaching, administration and media.

The lunch has also supported a handful of local players who later reached Super Rugby and Wallabies level.

Donnellan said the event continues to unite clubs across the region, with strong support from players, officials and past representatives.

“All the clubs around the zone are really supportive and it’s an event for everyone,” he said.

“It doesn’t matter what club you’re with or if you’re from outside of rugby.

“We always go back to whoever had a table last year and a lot of them come back again which really helps.”

Tickets for this year’s lunch can be purchased by contacting Brian Donnellan on 0404 486 445 or through Humanitix