Who are the immortals of Australian rugby union? There have been many great players over the years, but these six stand above the pack.
Trevor Allen
Almost universally regarded as the best player in the world during his time, Trevor Allen was once described by former Australian coach and player Dave Brockhoff as the greatest Wallaby player of all time.
“Trevor Allan’s rugby career was resplendent in feats only achieved by immortals,” Phil Wilkins said.
“I doubt that I have ever laid eyes on a better defending centre who also excelled in attack. There are few better leaders,’ Sir Nick Shehedie said.
Ken Catchpole
Former All Black Chris Laidlaw wrote that Catchpole was “the outstanding scrumhalf of the last decade.”
“Others have made contributions to techniques in passing, kicking, and running, but as the supreme exponent of all the skills Catchpole stands beyond rivalry,” Laidlaw continued.
“Not only was he quicker of thought, action and reactions, but a judicious kicker and more subtle runner than either Going or Edwards… Catchpole was… years ahead of his time.”
“His pass was never long – he considered it a waste of time. It was, however, phenomenally fast and his technique of delivery perfect. No elegant dive pass, no laboured swivel to avoid passing off the weak arm – just a flash of light to his flyhalf.”
“Only a fool would name any scrumhalf before Ken Catchpole, and certainly no Australian ever would.”
“After Australia defeated England 23-11, the President of the English rugby union endorsed this view [of Catchpole] at a dinner of the 1966-67 Wallabies with this unequivocal statement: ‘Ken Catchpole is the greatest halfback rugby has known’,” T.P. McLean recounted, as quoted by Spiro Zavos.
Mark Loane
Perhaps no Australian rugby player has meant more to the Wallaby jersey than Mark Loane.
Former Australian flanker Simon Poidevin once wrote that Loane “was something of a god, and I guess my feeling was the same as a young actor getting a bit part in a movie with Dustin Hoffmann”.
“Loaney was a huge inspiration, and I tailed him around the field hoping to feed off him whenever he made one of those titanic bursts where he’d split the defence.”
“Sticking to him in that Test paid off handsomely, because Loaney splintered the Frenchmen in one charge, gave to me and I went for the line for all I was worth. I saw Blanco coming at me out of the corner of my eye, but was just fast enough to make the corner for my first Test try. I walked back with the whole of the grandstand yelling and cheering. God and Loaney had been good to me.”
Mark Ella
Mark Ella is regarded by almost every player he played with as the best rugby player of all time.
Inside-centre Michael Hawker has said he was the best player with whom he played. By 1984, fullback Roger Gould had uttered a similar sentiment.
Dual-international and outside-centre Michael O’Connor wrote that Ella was a genius. “He was the best player I played with or against in both codes,” O’Connor claimed.
Wally Lewis has said similar things, while David Campese wrote that Ella was “the best rugby player I have ever known or seen.”
David Campese
Former England captain Will Carling wrote of Campese that “he was well ahead of his time”.
“His anticipation and vision was way ahead of what everyone else was attempting, and 99 percent of it came off. He took running lines no one else could fathom and made passes no one could see were on. He was an extraordinary talent – the best winger.”
Former Irish five-eighth Tony Ward famously said that he was “Maradona, the Pelé of international rugby all rolled into one”.
“You cannot put a value on his importance to our game. He is a breath of fresh air and I think perhaps the greatest player of all time.”
John Eales
John Eales was voted the greatest Wallaby of all time in 2003 by a panel of rugby experts. Eales is one of only five players to have won two World Cup medals. He boasts a winning record against New Zealand of 11-9, a ratio nobody else can claim who played the All Blacks more than 15 times. He is also regarded by many as Australia’s greatest rugby union captain.
Jason manning
Guest
Thanks Frank What about in todays game.. Who would you say are the top 5 still playing? Kr Jason
crip
Roar Pro
How about Steve Larkham's charge down of a conversion? Very rarely do you ever see that happen let alone in a Bledisloe Cup game! http://youtu.be/95hcQOVDh8o
stu
Guest
Cheers johnno - never heard that before
Ben S
Roar Guru
I'd argue that was more down to the people around him. I don't recall it being tried more than once or twice for England. Hodgson and Flood played 12 to Wilkinson at 10, btw, not vice versa.
Jerry
Guest
"I said he changed the perception that flyhalves HAVE TO have a kicking game." Ok, I'll break it down. You reckon Larkham changed the perception that fly halves have to have a kicking game. If this were true, in the decade since Larkham came to prominence, there would have been other players selected who don't have kicking game, surely? So, who are the other players selected to play flyhalf who don't have kicking games? The only examples you've offered is guys who aren't primarily known for their kicking game - not guys who don't have one. And not even that great examples of that, IMO. Both those guys kick the ball all day long.
Sharminator
Roar Rookie
Jay, like Jerry it would help if you actually read what I said before making comments .. but anyway ... I didnt say that Larkham established anything or that he was the first to do so, I said he changed the perception that flyhalves HAVE TO have a kicking game. When Larkham became fly half people wrote him off because he couldnt kick, and because in the previous decade most flyhalves played tactical kicking games and were generally also strong goal kickers, drop kickers e.g. Lynagh, Grant Fox, Joel Stransky, Rob Andrew. Larkham was a completely different type of player. While both Hernandez and Cooper can kick ... they were selected over traditional kicking flyhalves, in those two cases, Contemponi and Barnes, because of their running games.
Sharminator
Roar Rookie
It was tried a few times but never with that much success.
Jay
Guest
You said Larkham established that a flyhalf didn't have to have a kicking game - both Cooper and Hernandez do. Larkham wasn't the first running flyhalf.
Ben S
Roar Guru
I have a theory that 12 would have suited Wilkinson more than 10 because he would/could have had a 10/13 either side of him demanding he play on the gainline and he wouldn't have had the pressure of being the first receiver and dictator of play. He could make that ball sing when he wanted.
Ben S
Roar Guru
And then Hernandez booted the leather off of the ball... A gifted runner, but his decision making was poor.
Sharminator
Roar Rookie
Cooper and Hernandez were both picked at fly half for their running games, not because of their kicking. Hernandez, who had always been a fullback, was picked at 10 on the 2007 pre RWC tour to Europe, and by playing at fly half, Contemponi ... a regular, solid, traditional fly half, was moved out to centre. There was supriste here in South America at this change, and doubts because he wasnt a traditional 10, but idea was that Hernandez ran more and provided a running option that created doubt in the minds of the opposition. The same goes for Cooper ... he has been selected on the basis of his running game, despìte his defensive frailties, with the idea that his unpredictability and ability to find a gap, negates his negatives.
Sharminator
Roar Rookie
I agree about Wilko. He was a very gifted kicker .. an immense goal kicker, very strong in defense for a fly half, and his positional kicking was also good, but as a fly half transferring the ball down the backling, or setting up other players he cant be compared to Carter or Larkham. Around his peak he did run the ball a bit and create gaps for others .. but that was only for a small portion of his carerr, This is also why the experiment of Willko at 12 with Hodgson and later Flood at 10, which was tried a few times, failed .. because WIlko wasnt a player who had the skills to play centre.
Johnno
Guest
Stu the Brisbane Broncos talent scouts said Darren Lockeyar was the most talented rugby league player they saw or footballer, and Ben Tune was the 2nd most talented they ever saw. But he turned down the Broncos and signed without he reds, and the rest is history a world cup winner in 1999.
stu
Guest
great conversation starter. quite a few of those guys were before my time so it is hard to respond based on anything other than second/third hand impressions. One guy who I think was a major could have been is ben tune. He had such heart. It is such a shame that injury kept him out after some sublime work from 1998-2000. He was a wonderful defender and a amazingly versitile offensive player. His try against england in the centernary test, where he somehow when upside down managed to place the ball as Perry was bundlingly him into touch was just too damm cool. His try in the rwc final was the epitomy of brutal determination, lomu style, the french full back was carted off for trying to stop him. In writing this i'm reminded of other moments in his career, the try against SA after the doping scandal, the number of time he had to mark off lomu or vidiri and the tackles he made on these guys. The sickening moment when his achilles blew as he raced after his kick down the right wing against argentina.
chuck
Guest
New Zealand Rugby immortals. Fred allen. Whineray Wilson. Brian Lahore. Colin Meads. Sean Fitzpatrick. Don Clark.. Richie McCaw
AJ
Guest
I can remember just being in awe of Kefu, whenever he got the ball, he just got it over the advantage line, no matter what was in front of him.The wallabies have never come close to replacing him at 8. Horan should be on the list- he not only got two medals he was very instumental in winning the most important games. He will be forever mentioned among the great centres of the world. "99 vs RSA was just sublime and he'd been hurling his guts out for 24 hours before running on. His early partnership with Little was brilliant in both attack and defence.
sheek
Guest
Sam, I'll second Frank's nomination.
Frank O'Keeffe
Guest
I'll also note that the retirements of Fitzpatrick, Bunce, and Zinzan might have helped Australia in 1998. I'm hoping for a similar outcome when two men, who are currently All Blacks, decide to retire. Then Australia will dominate again!!!
Sam Taulelei
Roar Guru
Frank I know that you can't nominate yourself for a list of Roar Immortals so I'll do it for you.
Frank O'Keeffe
Guest
Random comment. People mentioned Matt Burke and Ben Tune in this thread. I have many Wallaby Tests on tape from the late 90s and it seems to me as if Burke's peak was 1996-1998 and Tune 1997-1999. What's bizarre is 1997 was a period in time when Australia had plenty of in-form players, like Burke, Tune, Horan, Eales, Gregan... but little success in 1997. I mean it took Horan a while to get back to his best after that knee injury. But you'd think a backline with Gregan, Horan, Tune and Burke, all in-form would be a good side. That was a pretty horrid time when you think that Australia had a very talented side.