One of the Wallaby all-time greats Peter Johnson died suddenly last night of a heart attack, aged 78.
In his 42 Tests, five as captain, Johnson was a hooker supreme, best summed up by one of his Randwick teammates who went on to coach the Wallaby Rugby World Cup champions in 1991 – Bobby Dwyer.
“Johnno was before his time, he was a brilliant striker of the ball, and a brilliant ball-handler in general play, he set a new benchmark for hookers,” was Dwyer’s summation.
It must be added that was in an era where halfbacks actually fed the scrum in the centre of the tunnel.
Johnson will always be one of my favourite footballers over 50 years.
Not only was he fascinating to watch for the full 80 minutes, but the beers afterwards as we relived those minutes with him and his delightful wife Sue, were even more absorbing.
Especially after one club game at Coogee Oval after a week of unbelievable downpours.
The entire field was covered in water, quite often ankle deep.
In one collapsed scrum, Johnson was face down and couldn’t breathe with the weight of the scrum on top of him.
“I genuinely thought I was going to die, but thankfully I was really fit and could hold my breath for a long time, otherwise I was a goner,” he recalled.
All that meant was an extra beer or three was required to keep retelling the saga to those who wanted a run-down.
“Johnno” was never ever dull, he had a wicked sense of humour, and once he retired he wrote about rugby every week in the Sunday Telegraph.
There was only one problem with that, he had such an enormous grip on the English language, you had to have a Thesaurus handy to keep track of what he was saying, he often used words I’d never heard of.
But that was Peter Johnson, everything he ever did was of the highest quality.
He was one of the most inspirational Wallabies that has been my privilege to know.
He raised the performance bar high for himself, and in the process lifted his teammates as well, be it for Randwick, where he played 239 games, for NSW, and the Wallabies.
One of Johnson’s most cherished moments was squaring the series with the Springboks 2-2 in South Africa to become the first touring side to win two consecutive Tests against the Boks sine the Lions in 1896.
The late great Dr Danie Craven once told me that Wallaby side was the best he had seen in South Africa.
So Peter Johnson always led a full and very successful life.
In latter years his competitive spirit was well catered for at Manly Golf Club where he was a long-time member, always walking, never using a cart.
That he died sipping a gin and tonic with wife Sue at home last night, just 17 days before his 79th birthday, has shocked the rugby world.
To Sue, speaking on behalf of his army of friends, we are privileged to thank Peter Johnson for the memories that made him a Wallaby legend.
Sir Geon
Guest
Just learned of Peter Johnson's passing from watching the Wallabies-Argentina game. How come it wasn't observed before? Get someone who knows their Rugby onto the PR game. A damn good hooker renown for still contesting for the ball even when the All Black pack was pummeling the Wallabies in the amateur era. Admittedly there was an era where the Wallabies held their own from the drawn test in '62 through to series win against South Africa and the win over Wales and England in 67. Peter Johnson's famous for the phrase 'Old Blazers never die. They merely fade!' How true.
David Lord
Expert
Bernie Bergelin and Peter Johnson, now there's a great rugby double. Thanks for posting Anthony, wish they were both still with us.
richard
Guest
RIP Peter Johnson.Just heard Snow White,who played 4 tests for the ABs between 1954-55 has passed away,his last being a Bledisloe Cup match in 1955.He was 87. A sad time for both unions.
Anthony Bergelin
Guest
Peter was a dear friend of my late Father, they used to run around North Head in Manly 3 times a week then put it all back on in the Steyne Hotel drinking schooners! Dad used to run with a garbage bag on to sweat more and Johnno just gave it to him no end! Peter painted Dad for his 50th as a bit of a joke. I still have the painting in the office. Vale to a great Rugby man and a great human being.
Nick Turnbull
Roar Guru
Thanks David, I also recall being told about the genius of Catchpole for finding the space. Being where the Bok's weren't (pay attention Michael Cheika), that he darted from the base of a scrum, then passed over the top of the scrum to put a back into an acre of space. Bit of trivia in 1962 Australian swimming legend Laurie Lawrence was the reserve half but for 63 I think it was Ken McMullen, father of Brumbies stalwart Craig McMullen.
David Lord
Expert
Peter Johnson certainly did play in that 1968 Test at the SCG that ended Ken Catchpole's stellar career thanks to the dirtiest and most gutless act I've ever seen on a rugby field.
David Lord
Expert
Nick, you are quite right, the 1963 Wallabies that drew the series against the Boks 2-2,in South Africa, was chock-full of great footballers. (1) Jon White, (2) Peter Johnson, (3)John Thornett (c), (4) Rob Heming (5), Peter Crittloe, (6) Jules Guerissimoff, (7) Greg Davis, (8) John O'Gorman, (9) Ken Catchpole, (10) Phil Hawthorne (11), Jim Boyce, (12) Beres Ellwood,, (13) Dick Marks, (14) Joh Williams, and (15) Terry Casey.
David Lord
Expert
sheek, Peter Johnson's in my all-time Wallaby run-on side over 50 years, with Phil Kearns on the bench. Jon White, Peter Johnson,Topo Rodriques, John Eales (vc), Rob Heming, Col Windon, George Smith, Mark Loane, Ken Catchpole, Mark Ella, Brendan Moon, Tim Horan, Trevor Allan (c), David Campese, and Dick Tooth. Bench - Phil Kearns, Ewen McKenzie, Roy Prosser, Steve Cutler, Simon Poidevin, Nick Farr-Jones, Michael Lynagh, and Jim Lenehan.
DaniE
Roar Guru
It certainly does, and makes me wish that a book could be written with the stories from this period of Wallaby history - some of the characters and the gentlemen, and some who were both! :P Years ago I had a couple of nice conversations with a Wallaby from this era, which kind of sparked the interest.
Ken Cathpole's Other Leg
Guest
I did not know of Peter Johnson by name, till this notice. My father took me to a Bledisloe in Sydney in the sixties. It was the game when Sir Colun Meads wrenched Catchpole's leg from a ruck and his tendon from the bone. Would Peter Johnson have also played in this test?
sheek
Roar Guru
Great player, hooker, great man. Born 1937, played for Wallabies 1959-71, 42 tests. Didn't tour SA in 1969, having already been there in 1961 & 63. Lordy, I only really caught Johnson as a Wallaby in 1971, & my memory of him is dim. In your humble opinion, which of the two great Randwick hookers was better, Peter Johnson or Phil Kearns?
Nick Turnbull
Roar Guru
The Wallabies from 63 to 67 took some hefty scalps including the Bok's, a heavy defeat of the All Blacks at Wellington in 64 and the Welsh at the Arms Park. They deserve their place in history as a very good side. In relation to that 63 Tour, Andrew Logan would be a good source of information as I think his grandfather was the tour manager. I do know that Charlie Crittle, a utility forward, rated that tour as his favourite. Whilst in country for months, Crittle picked up enough Afrikaans to deliver a post match address in the tongue that was well received. In 1992 and again in 2013 contingents of that team returned to South Africa to watch the Wallabies play. There may be a bit of footage on YouTube doing the rounds, but I'm informed Catchpole and Hawthorne were exceptional on this tour, and in one match Yeovill's own Jon White made an epic covering tackle to deny a Springbok a try. Not bad considering he was the defensive loose head! Hope this helps a bit.
DaniE
Roar Guru
Vale Peter. Always enjoyed his articles and admired his contribution. Agree with Harry on recognition for the WBs on the SA tours of the 60s... Would love to know more.
BILL DOCKRILL
Guest
I am a rugby tragic and always admired Peter as a player. I had never met him until I joined Manly Golf Club and played with him the first time, I enjoyed his company so much I went out of my way to play with him on a number of other occasions. He had a very dry sense of humour, he was very entertaining and told some great yarns about his rugby days. He had been a very keen runner or as he said in later years a " shuffler". He was disappointed he could not do it anymore. He was very fit however and was in good shape for his age. Also he enjoyed going with his wife to the Big Island in Hawaii and stayed in the same block of units at Waikeloa for a month each year for at least the last 30 years. A real gentleman, I will miss his presence around the club.
Jigbon
Guest
A great rugby ambassador and my youth was spent watching and hearing about Peter johnson. Hookers in my teams always tried to emulate his skills and technique. Vale peter.
Harry
Guest
Nice writeup David and condolences to the family. Those Wallaby teams that did so well on tours of South Africa in the 1960's deserve a bit more recognition.
Nick Turnbull
Roar Guru
Well done David, I recall many moons ago people thought that P.G.X Johnson's 42 test's for the Wallabies, a record for about 17 years would not be broken. For memory his fellow Randwick mate Simon Poidiven did so in about 1987. But still what an achievement. I think he played test rugby for about 14 years to get those 42 tests, in today's world he may have played 142? RIP Peter.