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Is Newcastle a rugby (union) town?

Roar Guru
8th May, 2012
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Roar Guru
8th May, 2012
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2894 Reads

When one thinks of Newcastle and rugby, the next word you probably think of is league, right? If you were, you would not be alone.

The thirteen-man game is a near religion in the steel town two hours north of Sydney.

Over the years, we have become accustomed to the cheers for league legends Johns, Harragon and Buderus, and rightfully so.

So what was the Australian Rugby Union thinking when they announced the Wallabies would be taking on the ever welcome Scots on June 5 in Newcastle.

Whatever the motivation was, I am sure glad that they did. Forget taking the game to new markets. After digging into the archives I have found a rich rugby heritage that Novocastrians worldwide should be proud of.

Did you know that Newcastle has produced five Australian captains, starting with Dr HM ‘Paddy’ Moran who played only one test for Australia against Wales in 1908. A tough flanker who played for Newcastle prior to moving down to the Sydney University Club, Moran is not only a member of the Australian rugby union Hall of Fame, he is credited with naming the 1908 team the Wallabies after the British press had named them Rabbits.

Moran was followed by English born scrum half Fred Wood, who in 1914 led the Australian XV against the All Blacks in two tests. Other skippers include scrum half Syd Malcolm, who led the national side six times between 1927-1934 during an 18 test match career. Bob Anderson, a centre who was Temora-born but played his rugby in Newcastle, captained Australia against New Zealand in his only test in 1925.

Last but not least is the Newcastle University great John Hipwell who went on to captain the Wallabies nine times in a test career that started in 1968 against the All Blacks in Sydney and finished at Twickenham in 1982. Not bad for league town.

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Ross ‘Mad-Dog’ Turnbull won a single cap as a prop forward against the Irish in 1968. Some say he should have played many more tests and was more widely respected as a player by his opponents than some of his team mates, due to his no nonsense personality.

This was evident after Newcastle played the All Blacks in 1962. A young Turnbull packed down against hard man Ken Grey. Turnbull was not considered for the test the following week. However several days after the test, Turnbull received a package from Grey that contained his test jumper and note saying ‘You deserve this.”

Turnbull moved into rugby management and administration managing the Wallabies on the 1975-76 tour of Great Britain and Ireland then again during the 1978 tour of New Zealand. He later became the chairman of the Australian rugby union, a member of the International Rugby Board and sat on the 1987 World Cup Committee. In 1995, Turnbull and his World Rugby Corporation were pivotal in turning the game professional.

Other notable Novocastrian Wallabies include the great Phil Hawthorne who played 21 tests for the Wallabies and later three for the Kangaroos. John Freedman was a sturdy prop, who was born in Newcastle, played for Drummoyne and then four tests for the Wallabies. He also sailed for Australia.

Cyril Burke and Luke Burgess continue the trend of Newcastle born scrum halves who won Wallaby caps. Burke was a notable talent who played 26 tests between 1946-56.

Newcastle has also nurtured some great rugby people who were never capped Wallabies, however their contribution to Australian Rugby should not go unmentioned. None more so than the late media personality David Fordham. Fordham was a talented full back for the Merewether-Carlton club (The Slime) who won representative honours for New South Wales Country Under 21’s.

Fordo remains a cult figure in Queensland and Australian rugby circles, however it all began in sleepy old Newcastle for arguably Australia’s greatest rugby caller.

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In all, Newcastle has produced 35 Wallabies: props, hookers half-backs and flankers among them all.

So when you ask why is there a rugby test being played in Newcastle, we should well remember those sons of Newcastle who each in their own way have contributed to the running game. We should ask, why the hell not? I think the town is long overdue a match.

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