And, since turning to coaching, the former dualcode international has also transformed the fortunes of the Wales national team to win successive European Cups and qualify for the Four Nations.
The dual-code international, 30, who joined Leicester on a short-term deal in November, had been tipped to return to Australia when the contract ended.
Eighteen years later the club has become the first dual-code rugby partnership with Leeds Rhinos under the umbrella of Leeds Rugby, won the Powergen Cup and played in the Heineken Cup.
Behind the revolution is coach Alan Tait, a dualcode British Lion whose fierce passion for attractive and successful rugby is being channelled through this new-look Falcons side.