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During my recent hospitalisation for a second hip replacement, I had plenty of time to reflect on the number of great Wallabies and Kangaroos who have been my privilege to watch strut their stuff in over six decades.
In what seemed an impossible task, these are my top 10 in pecking order:
MARK ELLA
(Born June 5, 1959, Wallaby from 1980 to 1984, 25 Tests, 10 as captain).
One of the great tragedies of international rugby was his premature retirement at just 25, at the peak of his spectacular career. “Mercurial Mark” redefined the job description of the number 10 jersey to dizzy heights never seen since.
Instrumental in winning the Bledisloe Cup and the Wallabies’ only Grand Slam in 1984, calling halt after scoring a record try in every one of the four internationals, just as he did in 1977 on the Australian Schoolboy’s tour. Nobody in the history of rugby could breach tight defences like a ghost as Ella did.
All of a sudden he was through a “brick wall” and you blinked in amazement as to how often he did it against all odds, sending eager supports on their way.
REG GASNIER
(Born May 12, 1939, Kangaroo from 1959 to 1967, 39 Tests, eight as captain)
The greatest centre the world has seen, an Immortal, there was nothing Gasnier couldn’t do in 80 magic minutes. He wasn’t dubbed “Puff the Magic Dragon” for nothing as he ghosted through defences as Ella did. If there’s been a more graceful athlete, I haven’t seen him.
Gasnier was a natural who could have represented as a track athlete, a cricketer, or a baseballer he was so gifted. His Kangaroo centre combination with Harry Wells was the perfect combination of brawn and beauty – the likes of which has never been seen since.
JOHNNY RAPER
(Born April 12, 1939, Kangaroo from 1958 to 1968, 39 Tests, eight as captain)
If a rugby league game was 180 minutes, Raper would still be at top pace at the 180-minute mark. His powers of concentration and relentless attack-defence bordered on freakish, but that was the legend of the man. An opponent’s nightmare.
In the era of unlimited tackles, Raper would regularly be involved in a sustained movement six or seven times and every time the advantage line would be breached with perfectly-timed Raper passes. There’s never been a rugby league forward like Johnny Raper, an obvious Immortal.
GRAEME LANGLANDS
(Born September 1, 1941, Kangaroo from 1963 to 1975, 45 Tests, 15 as captain)
Was there anything Langlands couldn’t do? Be it at full-back, in the centres, on the wing, or consistently kicking goals from all over the park – he was another naturally-gifted footballer. Langlands was paid the ultimate compliment when Bobby Fulton described him as the greatest footballer he ever played with or against – and Fulton played in an era where there were many great players.
For 14 seasons Langlands was the benchmark for representative honours, his standard of the highest quality and very much an Immortal.
KEN CATCHPOLE
(Born June 21, 1939, Wallaby from 1961 to 1968, 27 Tests, 13 as captain)
No rugby half-back has ever reached the exalted heights of Catchpole, whose bullet diving passes of 30 metres or more that thudded into his five-eight’s chest gave his pivot plenty of room to move. Catchpole’s combination with Phil Hawthorne remains an integral part of Wallaby folklore.
Catchpole’s brilliant career was cut short in 1968 when All Black Colin Meads walked off with Catchpole’s leg when the other was pinned in a ruck. The animal act ripped Catchpole from his groin to his neck sustaining shocking injuries. Meads wasn’t even penalised, and recently was knighted.
Sometimes justice is never done.
KEN IRVINE
(Born March 5, 1940, died December 22, 1990 of leukemia, Kangaroo from 1959 to 1968, 31 Tests)
One of sport’s greatest mysteries is why Irvine isn’t a rugby league Immortal. He was the finest winger of either code I’ve ever seen with a built-in ball sense to read play well in advance, then use his express speed to score a (still) NRL record 212 tries for North Sydney and Manly in only 236 games.
He ran 9.3 secs for the 100 yards to equal the world professional sprint record at the time. A beautifully balanced athlete who looked as though he was coasting, but he was leaving opponents in his slip-stream – poetry in motion.
BOBBY FULTON
(Born December 1, 1947, Kangaroo from 1968 to 1978, 47 Tests, seven as captain)
It didn’t matter if it was Fulton the player, captain, coach, or commentator – he excelled. Everything about Fulton just oozed class and he always looked as though he had plenty left in the tank as a player, and always had a few more tricks up his sleeve as a coach.
A visionary, far more astute than most gave him credit, deserving of his Immortal status. Those who sold him short lost out.
DAVID CAMPESE
(Born October 21, 1962, Wallaby from 1982 to 1996, 101 Tests)
Made the goose step famous, setting up most of his then world record 64 tries, since broken by Daisuke Ohata, an unrealistic record as Japan rarely plays against major rugby nations.
“Campo”, what a finisher, winning internationals when all seemed lost. His combination, understanding, and support play with Mark Ella was one of rugby’s most special moments.
Big crowds went home glowing once they had seen one of those moments, well worth the admission alone. Critics hammered Campese’s defensive record, but if he let in one try you could bet your house on him scoring himself or setting up another two tries. Campese’s account is in the black.
WALLY LEWIS
(Born December 1, 1959, Kangaroo from 1981 to 1991, 33 Tests, 23 as captain)
There was a commanding presence about Lewis on the field that demanded respect, attention, and admiration on the way to becoming an Immortal.
A member of the 1977 Australian Schoolboys rugby team to the UK, Lewis switched to league at tour’s end knowing he was never going to displace Mark Ella as the future Wallaby five-eight. The move was a master-stroke, with the super-talented pair becoming the greatest fly-halves the two codes have ever seen, and they’ve been close mates ever since.
JOHN EALES
(Born June 27, 1970, Wallaby from 1991 to 2001, 86 Tests, 55 as captain)
The “baby” of my top 10, but a giant of international rugby. From the moment he was a member of the Rugby World Cup winning side in 1991 to captaining the Wallabies to regain the RWC in 1999, and beat the British and Irish Lions to end his stellar career on a high note, Eales led the Wallabies from the front, winning clean lineout ball, tight rucks and mauls, and landing monster goals to win tight matches.
If there is such a category, John Eales was the complete footballer, who could have excelled as a track athlete, cricketer, or golfer. Thankfully, he chose rugby.
Of course there are many more contenders over such a long time, but the 10 are mine.