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Wallabies legend Ken Catchpole passes away aged 78

21st December, 2017
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Ken Catchpole has passed away, aged 78. (AAP Image/Paul Miller)
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21st December, 2017
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Legendary Wallabies halfback Ken Catchpole has passed away. He was 78.

Catchpole reportedly passed away on Thursday after a long battle with illness.

Catchpole captained the Wallabies on 13 occasions in a 27-Test career for Australia. He is regarded as one of the finest players in Australia’s rugby union history, and was inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame in 2013.

Catchpole’s career was both remarkable and short. He began his first-grade career with Randwick in 1959, and made his NSW debut just a year later. His Wallabies debut followed in 1961.

Catchpole is one of the youngest ever Wallabies captains, having led the side out aged just 21 years, 354 days in his debut Test. However, his career was cut short when he was 28 after a leg-wrenching tackle by All Blacks legend Colin Meads severely injured the halfback’s hamstring and groin muscles.

Catchpole’s legacy in evidenced by an overwhelming number of accolades. Before his World Rugby Hall of Fame induction, he had been one of the inaugural Australian Rugby Hall of Fame inductees in 2005, and had been included in the Sports Australia Hall of Fame in 1986.

A bronze statue of the great halfback resides outside Allianz Stadium, and Catchpole’s name adorns the award given to the Shute Shield player of the year each season.

Catchpole’s death has continued what has been a sad week for Australian rugby, with fellow Wallabies great Stan Pilecki passing away on Wednesday.

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Former Wallabies captain and Rugby Australia Board Director paid tributed to Catchpole.

“Ken wasn’t just a remarkable rugby player but also a remarkable man.

“He’ll be fondly remembered as one of our best and his records will live long at Randwick, New South Wales and the Wallabies.

“Ken had a real aura about him both on and off the field. He might have been small in stature but you knew when Ken was in the room by the respect he commanded.

“On behalf of the entire Australian Rugby community, I want to pass on our thoughts and prayers to his family and loved ones.”

Classic Wallabies President Simon Poidevin said:

“The Classic Wallabies are truly saddened by the news of the passing of one of the great icons of Rugby Union in the legendary Ken Catchpole.

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“Affectionately known as “Catchy” to his team mates and Rugby supporters around the world, Ken was an extraordinary athlete with blistering speed, amazing agility and a fearless spirit in taking on much bigger opponents.

“Catchy was a natural leader and was consistently rated the best halfback in the world. He was loved by Wallabies young and old and displayed a modesty that defied his achievements and set an example for our sport.

“He was one of 102 Wallabies selected from the Randwick Club, a team he dearly loved. Coogee Oval has arguably never seen a better player than Ken Catchpole.”

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