Over the past few weeks I have shared with you my favourite Wallabies who have remained in my memory from the ’80s and ’90s.
Some of the players were disliked but respected by New Zealand rugby fans because of what they brought to clashes between the All Blacks and Wallaby teams. It was a different era than when the Wallabies were one of the leading lights in world rugby, won two World Cups and played an attractive style of rugby.
How it compares to today is extremely disappointing, with trans-Tasman clashes now lacking the intense struggles of years gone by, with the “referee” game an exception.
Will that change? I have my doubts.
There was a time when you could name the full Wallaby team because of the star quality of the players and their standing in the rugby community. Now, it’s a struggle to name the full team with their anonymity. Or is that a fault of mine due to a lack of enthusiasm towards today’s rugby, an old dinosaur living in the past?
I used this format to bring back old memories of the glory days of Australian rugby and to remind readers that yes, Australian rugby can be world-leading and innovative. There are many theories as to how to bring those days back and those theories are espoused on a regular basis. That is a theme for another article in the future.
But now for the good ol’ days and my favourite Wallaby team. Just to reiterate that this is my favourite team, not what I believe is the best team.
Roger Gould
Brendan Moon
Ben Tune/Joe Roff
Michael O’Connor
Ken Wright
Mark Ella
George Gregan
Mark Loane
Simon Poidevin
George Smith
John Eales
Nathan Sharpe
Topo Rodriguez
Phil Kearns/Tom Lawton
Tony Daly/Ewen McKenzie
Many of the players were profiled in previous articles, except for wing, lock and prop where no absolute favourites stood out. David Campese misses out and it was hard to split between Ben Tune and Joe Roff for the wing position.
David Campese of the Wallabies in action (Photo by Getty Images)
Campo was never as impressive against the All Blacks as other teams, but maybe my fading memory is incorrect? I normally have a predilection for the maverick, rather than the technician, so maybe there is something else about Mr Campese? I recall Tune and Roff being dangerous, complete footballers.
Ken Wright is there for one major reason: “that sidestep” against the All Blacks in 1978.
Apologies to Tim Horan!
Michael Lynagh, Stephen Larkham and Ella competed for the fly-half role but Ella gets the nod because of sheer brilliance. Likewise with halfback where Will Genia, Nick Farr-Jones and Gregan were obvious choices, but Gregan clinches it with “the tackle.”
The second locking position to John Eales was inconclusive and I look forward to your thoughts on who best fills that role. Sharpe gets the nod based on longevity. Same with back-up prop to Rodriguez, with McKenzie and Daly the standouts.
So, there you have it, my favourite Wallabies from years gone by. Unfortunately, it is difficult to think of one player today who would compete against any of these players.
Hopefully, you enjoyed the articles and I look forward to profiling some international players who I have fond memories of.
Tooly
Roar Rookie
Hard to go wrong . Matt Burke is the best 15 we have ever had . Ben Tune was better in defence than Joe . Tim Horan was more robust than Ken Wright . I’ll have Ricky Stewart as halfback . Half Joking ! Andrew Walker was a brilliant complete player .
howridiculous
Roar Rookie
ken catchpole, easily ...
Peter Darrow
Roar Guru
Riccardo Michael Jones is flanker. Haden and Whiting are locks.
Riccardo
Roar Rookie
Fantastic team for us older fans mate; kudos Peter. If you're taking Going and Williams, surely blindside Batty gets a run? Just for his handlebar, if nothing else? Michael Jones at lock? You mean Ian Jones? Actually, looks like he and Haden might be mixed up. Hayman was awesome but I preferred Olo...
PeterK
Roar Guru
not quite George Smith played for the wallabies in 2013 Vickerman played for australia in 2011.
Perthstayer
Roar Rookie
Peter....Not one player from last 15 years. Been a torrid time
Perthstayer
Roar Rookie
Impossible to measure, but I'm in the camp says Edwards one of greatest players of all time. The great Welsh era was the sum of its parts, each benefiting from the other, but Edwards was the keystone.
Tim J
Roar Rookie
I Peter, he played 10 at club level before making the move to fullback. He was a very good kicker, but as you correctly stated because of his size he was moved into the fullbacks role.
PeterCtheThird
Guest
Tim, I can find Clarke listed as playing fullback, as he did in the first Test I ever saw - built like a brick outhouse! - but not at 10. When and where? For New Zealand? Waikato? I’m curious!
Hertryk
Roar Rookie
Being an avid Western Force Supporter since Feb 2006 -Sharpie will always be a favourite of mine ....
Hertryk
Roar Rookie
I am totally the same as you for what my very humble opinion is worth. I cannot name half the team and knew these legends and followed them all the time. What has happened to Australian Rugby.. Lack Lustre, legends in their own lunch boxes, no real passion.. something has gone awry - I followed the Wallabies in days of yore to many World Cups around the world... ...Ah! those were the days
Busted Fullback
Roar Rookie
Oh Morsie, now you’ve got an old man questioning his memory. The pass was at the creek end at Ballymore in goal. That I know, I was there. Now I’m struggling to remember who was involved. So much rugby, so little memory space.
Morsie
Roar Rookie
No McCaw? I would have Finnegan over Poidevin.
Morsie
Roar Rookie
Are you sure that wasn't the pass that lost us a Lions series?
99.94
Roar Rookie
Love that team Peter! For some reason the romantic in me (the 4th grade prop) always dreamed of the skills of David Knox, Lloyd Walker, Mark Ella and Steve Larkham.
Tooly
Roar Rookie
Good side but is it your best side ?
Busted Fullback
Roar Rookie
G’day RH. We’re you aware that Ashgrove Marist have named their 4 fields along Grevillea Rd after Des Connor? He had to be pretty good to keep a kiwi out of the ABs.
Peter Darrow
Roar Guru
That is a great team Ben!
Ben Pobjie
Expert
For the record my favourite XV (and it’ll very much betray my era) Burke Roff Little Horan Campese Lynagh Farr-Jones Kefu Ofahengaue Elsom Eales Sharpe McKenzie Kearns Harry
Ben Pobjie
Expert
Oh I totally understand that. More thinking of the “Campese wasn’t really that good” crowd.