Trailblazing former Wallabies and Reds captain John Eales' rugby nickname was "Nobody", because nobody is perfect.
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He is now the first non-rugby-league player to be honoured at Suncorp stadium with a statue, which he hopes will breed "hope and belief" ahead of the 2019 World Cup.
Eales, now 48, was a magic rugby player and a huge influence on the game over his 11-year top-level career.
The goal-kicking lock forward came from the Brothers club team to play 112 matches for Queensland and 86 for Australia, 60 as captain, of which 55 were Test matches.
Eales was twice a Wallaby when Australia won the rugby World Cup; in 1991 and then again in 1999 when he led the team to victory.
On Monday his huge, three-metre tall statue, posed in a line-out, was unveiled at the Milton train station end of Suncorp Stadium by Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk.
"I don't think anyone in this situation actually feels worthy," Eales said, in front of a crowd that included Wally Lewis, who has his own statue on the opposite end of the stadium.
"What was important for me was there's a lineout in it; that's uniquely rugby."
It will quickly become one of Brisbane's most popular images, because visitors to Suncorp Stadium can pose beside the 300-kilogram bronze statue pretending to lift the former Wallabies star.
“The wonderful statue is a fitting tribute to a Queensland legend and is a celebration of everything John Eales brought to Queensland and Australia,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
“He is the personification of success - humility, pride and decency. He is admired by Wallabies supporters around Australia and rugby supporters around the world.
"John Eales is modest about his achievements, but the design of the statue means he will always be looked up to and revered by everyone who sees it.”
Eales played the bulk of his career across town at Ballymore but captained the Wallabies when they played their first game at Suncorp Stadium in 1996, defeating the All Blacks 32-25.
The statue is at the opposite end of Suncorp Stadium to the statues of rugby league greats Wally Lewis, Arthur Beetson, Darren Lockyer and Mal Meninga.
Eales was the 2002 Queenslander of the Year and was made a Member of the Order of Australia for services to the community and rugby.
Australia's rugby union player of the year receives the John Eales Medal.
The two-metre tall forward on Monday revealed he had twice before knocked back a request to be honoured by a statue.
He said the statue immortalised teamwork and was "breeding hope and belief" in a World Cup year.
The moment was "great for the code" and sent a "timely message to the Wallabies and their supporters" as Australia readied for the World Cup challenge.
"There hasn't been a huge amount said but I know there's been a stronger unity of purpose across high performance through the game, more than there has been in 10 or more years," he said.
"The first couple of games of Super Rugby, we've seen some really outstanding performances (by Australian sides).
"It's a World Cup year. It's a big year. Sport is very much about hope and belief and I'm hopeful it's going to be a good year."
The 2019 Rugby World Cup is being played in Japan between September and November.
Queensland Rugby Union chief executive David Hanham said the statue's unveiling was an important day for Queensland rugby.
“This statue not only celebrates the rugby career of one of Queensland’s finest players but it’s also representative of the valuable contribution our volunteers and rugby fans make every week to ensure rugby continues to thrive as a sport in this state,” Mr Hanham said.
QRU chairman Jeff Miller said Eales was an inspiring teammate.
"I had the honour of playing with John at both the Reds and the Wallabies," Mr Miller said.
"He was not only an exceptional player, but a great leader whose humility and courage will never be forgotten.
"He continues to inspire the next generation of Australian rugby talent and this statue is testament to that."
- With AAP
