Wallabies legend Ken Catchpole passes away aged 78

Great stuff Greg. I remember as a lad in the 70s being quite enamored of the dive pass. With the passing of time I see now it's quite a slow way to deliver the ball and only used in emergencies.

except the game was played at SCG

RIP as always. The time comes and it’s a transition, and for some it’s the unknown..but always it’s peace. Great comments on here. Quality indeed huh. Peace out cuz ??

Well said da chook, Catchy is an all time great and Stan Pileki one of the great characters of the game. I never got to see Catchy play unfortunately however as a young whipper snappers I got to see Pilecki, his tash was legendary. Both men have medals named in their honour, a very sad week for Australian Rugby, thoughts and prayers go out to both families. Great tribute to Catchy A-Drive, thanks mate.

Jigbon, like you I went with my Dad to the same game, and suffering a similar shock. I was scandalised when told by my Dad that Catchpole’s injury may have been deliberately incurred. Incredulous to my ‘play by the rules’ mind. Years later Catchpole was to do some work experience with my father who obtained from him an autograph. Judging from your family’s friendship with Slaggy’s, I am guessing that you were either a Marlin or a Rat? Thank you Ken Catchpole. For your efforts in a gold jersey and the autograph.

Oops! Just realised it was the third Test from 1962 when Jim Boyce was denied a try, not 1964...

Mr Catchpole, After training at Coogee Oval, the first grade players would spend 15 mins with the Unders 10's. Being a half, Mr Catchpole coached me in the art of passing (dive passes were always dramatic), sidestepping and 15 yard sprints. He attended Coogee Prep, he often returned for speech nights. I got to watch Mr Catchpole play just about every match for the Wicks at Coogee oval. Many of us witnessed his fast, accurate and consistent passing, speed, sidestep and general rugged play. After the reckless NZ mauling, he still turned out at Coogee, with a limp and bullet like chest high delivery, he continued to capture the spectators. Truly a Gentleman from another time. Respect Greg

Yes a win in 64 would have been a big deal, ABs were very strong during that period. RIP Ken Catchpole. RIP Stan Pilecki, who I did get to see play.

Australian rugby lost a lot of soul when the board culled the WA Force. Now in one week, it's lost a lot more soul with the passing of Pilecki & Catchpole. The Force will return one day, in spite of the RA board, but Stan & Catchy have gone to eternal life.

Atawhai, So does Spiro. i reckon if you prodded Spiro, he might go for Connor before Catchy, but that's just my observation on an a article he wrote many years ago. Not a split hair between them, I would think.

There is an extraordinary picture of one of Catchpole's dive passes in this article. I am too young to have ever really registered how good he was, but this gave me an idea. RIP. http://kwese.espn.com/rugby/story/_/id/21842174/ken-catchpole-was-australian-player-most-feared-all-blacks

Sad news. Condolences to the family.

My fingers are crossed either Spiro Zavos or David Lord will write an article to commemorate Ken Catchpole, and also Stan the Man.

As a young lad my dad took me the sports ground to watch the nuns play the wallabies. We were sitting right on the fence and I remember thinking how many people were there and how noisy it was. I was so excited to see the great All Blavks and they were so big and fast. I had played rugby since I was five so I had some idea of the game. I remember catchpoles pass even as a kid, and how fantastic - fast and accurate it was.and he was so strategic and you could see how he could run a game. He was lauded by all in rugby - everyone knew him even at our young age. The ruck where catchy had his leg almost torn from his body was right in front of us. I thought the crowd might attack meads once it happened. The game stoped for ages waiting to sort catchy out. I remember watching the whole event occur and seeing meads reach into the ruck and come out with a leg in his hands. To this day I will never forget how angry my father was. All the way home he was railing about it. He was a good mate of slaggies and the conversation at our place over Sunday lunch when the millers came over often turned to the event created by meads and how shocking it was to do such a thing. I'm not clear at that age how intentional it was. But it's a memory I still carry. Vale the great ken Catchpole.

I never met Ken Catchpole but his daughter Lisa married a good mate of mine. Condolences to the family on his passing, and may they remember the best of times with him.

Sad news about the passing of both Ken and Stan da Man... both great memorable players for the Wallaby. And thanks to Frank and Atawari Drive for your quality posts... bravo gentlemen!

Those are some great memories Frank. Worth an Article in itself I reckon..

Thank you, Daniel.

Cheers, Sheek. Stan Pilecki did it his way and we can be grateful for that. Catchpole was truly exceptional. I remember my late dad, a provincial rep player in NZ in the late 1940s, really rated Ken Catchpole and Des Connor.

Thanks, Frank. And I enjoyed your posts above.