Australian rugby loses one of the greats as Wallaby legend John Thornett dies, aged 83

Went to the John Thornett memorial service on Thursday 17/1/19 at Noble Stand at SCG. A legend of the game, an academic and he never forgot the grassroots of junior rugby always attending local clubs to hand out trophies. He had time for everyone. Q:If he was an All Black how many current AB players would of been there? A:All the squad. Q:How many current Wallabies attended? A:Zero!

I think Richard Harry went from club footy flanker to wallaby prop. Even that feat is more than 20 years old now.

John spent the 1964 season playing rugby for Hamiltons RFC , Cape Town. He was a superb player and a gentleman off the field, who was well-liked and respected by the Western Cape rugby fraternity. When a number of the 1963 Wallabies who had toured SA 50 years before celebrated the tour by revisiting South Africa, Peter Crittle told me that John was unable to join the party of ex-Wallabies due to ill-health. John was missed by all who had played with and against him in South Africa. Fine man and a credit to Australia and to rugby.

From a very good footballing family. Did not know he had passed away. Appalling recognition. He helped raise Australian rugby with their 62 tour to NZ. First time they turned up in NZ in the Gold jerseys and green shorts. They drew the first test, lost the second 3-0 and apart from Lenehan's great try down the blindside were beaten by a better side on the day. Then came the win against England and the drawn test series in South Africa in 63 followed by the ultimate victory over the All Blacks in 64 by a record score. Finally John Thornett was able to proclaim "we're a world champion team." And this was confirmed with their first win in a series against the mighty Springboks in 65. John Thornett was carried off the field shoulder high after that win. But having been demolished by the Lions in 66 the touring Wallabies pulled off the greatest upset in modernity by beating Wales and England. Although losing the other three tests, Hawthorne unable to play against the Scots they did win what was the unofficial test against the pride of Britain - the Barbarians - scoring five tries to two. Again John Thornett such was the stature of this man he was carried off Cardiff Arms Park shoulder high to a rendition of 'Waltzing Matilda'. As the late and great Don Clarke once said "he always played to the spirit of the game." To Greg, Phil, Ken, Jon, Nick, Slaggy, Peter & Co -have the liniment ready at the pearly gates!

Thanks Ken, Yes Ken, Miller, White & Thornett all progressed from the second row in the 50s to front row in the 60s. Incredibly, it wasn't until Thornett went to South Africa in 1963 that the great Bok player, captain, coach & administrator Danie Craven suggested he move to prop, that he did so, with instant success. At least, that's how I believe the story went. Until the 60s it was quite common for 2nd rowers to progress to front row as they got older & slower. But you simply can't do that now.

Great detail there Sheek. I believe Tony Miller was another who played in first and second rows?

Pretty much how Sydney viewed anyone who played union - a second class citizen compared to the rugby league stars people actually cared about.

Thanks David. It's seems our three best all-time props were loosies - Wild Bill Cerutti, Jon White & Topo Rodriguez. Although Cerutti sometimes played at tight-head & most of Topo's tests for the Pumas were also at tight-head. For example, Eddie Thompson, who partnered Cerutti & hooker Eddie Bonis in 1929-30 & must be one of the very Wallabies with a 100% win record (4/4), was adamant he was the left-side prop (in Max Howell's book). I think Tony Miller started out as tight-head with White as loose-head, in 1961, then returned as loose-head when White got injured in 1966. So Thornett, McKenzie & McIntyre, along with maybe Cerutti & Miller, are our leading tight-heads. Then there was nick Shehadie, who I believe was another loose-head. Nor forgetting Tony D'Arcy, who made the unwise decision to defect to league in 1983 at age only 24. He was mostly a loose-head as well. Cheers, mate.

David - fair enough.

David, Here's another one for you. Both Thornett & Jon White progressed to prop from second-row. The history books denote Thornett as the tight-head & White as the loose-head. Can you confirm this is correct? There's a photo of White-Johnson-Thornett lying on a bed looking from right of picture to left. White is on the left, Johnson in the middle & Thornett on the right. Considering they were assuming their correct packing positions, then indeed Thornett was the tight-head & White the loose-head.

Thanks David, For clarifying this. Cullen never denied the biting allegation, but cited extreme provocation. I accept Cullen's version of events. If your opposition prop won't listen to you for repeatedly boring in, & the ref refuses to help, then often you have no alternative but to take the law into your own hands. It's easy for me to disagree with McLaughlin's position, but he should have done what was right, not merely appease the British press. He should have argued Cullen acted under severe & repeated provocation, & his opponent refused to desist. Apparently, many of the Wallabies were incensed with the decision. Cullen's Qld team mate & captain, Jules Guerassimoff, threatened to go home with Cullen, he was so furious at the decision. Anyway, that was 53 years ago now. But back to John Thornett, I remember when I first started playing rugby, he had been a few years retired but still highly revered, & continued to be so for a very long time. Up until the 60s, it was still possible to move from the second row to the front row. But Thornett was quite probably the very last to move from the back row to middle row to front row for the Wallabies. Such a progression today would be simply unachievable. Even back in 1971, when second rower Reg Smith was inexplicably chosen for one test at prop against the Boks, the idea was already formulating that prop was becoming a specialist position, requiring players with the necessary build & technique for the position.

A great man and a great footballer. The man was so popular with Sydney that his rugby was front page news and always the center of school and workplace lunch time talk about footy. So ordinary that Sydney's newspapers yesterday and today haven't put this sad news in a prominent place. Only The Roar has. Instead we see these outlets give the passing of 1960s VFL and soccer players more headlines and attention, men who in their day were completely unknown to Sydneysiders.

I think it was 1967 when I moved to the UK and saw the Wallabies play Southern Counties in Bournemouth. With my green and gold track suit I was the only Aussie in the crowd. John took me into the Wallabies dressing room after the game. WOW, what a thrill for a 15 year old boy. What a great man. RIP. You will still be playing in Heaven.

Another excellent tribute to a distinguished Australian. Thank you, David Lord.

R.I.P. He was a champion player and a great gentleman.

He was a great player and a great gentleman. I was proud to play against him.

Thanks Lordy, Great memory to a great player, captain & person. Also, a greta trio of sporting brothers - John, Ken & Dick. Just as an aside, what do you know of the sending home of Ross Cullen in 1966? I've read articles that manager McLaughlin & coach Roper were too quick in acquiescing to a British press seeking blood, & sent Cullen home without sufficient 'due process'. There has also been mild criticism that Thornett as captain, didn't do enough to support his team mate. Can you throw any light on this?