Listing all the attributes of the late John Hipwell, as described by fellow players and journalists, I came to the realisation they were describing the quintessential rugby union halfback.
A tenacious player who was a dynamic, brisk runner, providing potent defence and acting as an extra loose forward cover defending.
His stocky build and slick, long pass added to his repertoire – and let us not forget his brilliant sidestep.
Bravery was another characteristic of Hipwell, as evidenced by him playing on after having his front teeth knocked out in the match for New South Wales Country versus the British Lions in 1966.
He may have been motivated by fellow player Phil Hawthorne who told him if he wanted to become an Australian player he would have to carry on.
Hipwell eventually did make his Australian debut versus New Zealand in 1968 after warming the bench for ten matches as an understudy to Ken Catchpole.
Iconic All Black Colin Meads ended Catchpole’s career when he severely injured his leg. According to the NZ Herald, “Meads ‘wishboned’ Catchpole’s leg while he was caught in a ruck, tearing the hamstring from the bone and severely rupturing his groin, ending the Australian’s test career at the age of 28”.
Meads defended himself by stating, “I just reached in and grabbed one leg. I was going to tip him up. I didn’t know his other bloody leg was stuck at an angle. So he did the splits.”
One man’s misfortune is another’s gain, with John Hipwell going on to make thirty-six appearances for Australia from 1968 to 1982.
John Noel Brian Hipwell was born in Mayfield NSW, near Newcastle, in 1948 and attended Wallsend High School.
His first-grade career began as a fresh-faced 18-year-old playing for the Waratahs Club in 1966, under legendary Australian halfback Cyril Burke.
Hipwell was first selected for Australia on the first of his three tours to the United Kingdom in 1966-67, followed by tours to South Africa and France.
He first captained his team against England in 1973, leading the side on nine occasions. He injured the cruciate ligaments in his knee on the 1975/76 tour to the UK, keeping him out of the game for almost three years.
Hipwell made a triumphant return to the Wallabies in 1978, playing in the memorable third Test victory 30-16 at Eden Park, with Greg Cornelson scoring an impressive four tries.
John Hipwell made the touring team as a replacement for fullback Roger Gould, with a third halfback deemed more important.
Missing the next two seasons, he was selected for the 1981-82 tour to the UK and played his final Test versus England at the age of thirty-three.
British Lions fullback JPR Williams is tackled by New South Wales halfback John Hipwell and prop John Howard with Delme Thomas and John Taylor looking on, 20th May 1971. (Photo by Central Press/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
The inimitable Mark Ella played outside Hipwell in this match and said in an interview with the Courier Mail that “to end up playing with him was a huge honour”.
With no weaknesses in his game, would Hipwell have been a better player behind a more dominant forward pack or did playing behind a beaten pack bring out the best in him?
The player known as “Hippy” was widely respected in the rugby community and the rugby world was in mourning when he passed away in 2013, aged 65.
He established a reputation as one of the preeminent halfbacks in world rugby over a period of fifteen years with the Wallabies.
In the Sydney Morning Herald former teammate Geoff Shaw said Hipwell was “one of the great captains, astute at the game with a good sense of humour – a genuine leader,” and Simon Poidevin added that Hipwell took him under his wing on the 1981-82 tour.
On X (Twitter) David Campese said that JH was “one of the nicest people you will ever meet. Very humble and always smiling.”
In 1982 John Hipwell received the Order of Australia Medal and in 2006 entered the Australian Rugby Union Hall of Fame. He was also chosen by Gareth Edwards in his book, titled “100 Great Rugby Players.”
No matter who your optimal choice of favourite halfback is, John Hipwell will be remembered as an archetypal halfback with an uncompromising, all-round game who endeared himself to rugby fans around the world.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Keith Murdoch RIP, was a great mate, in my school days & after, as he was extremely strong, & did many unusual things. Even Piney referred to him when he said, that during a particular South African tour, if anything was out of sorts, they'd give Keith the nod, & he'd sort it. His dismissal from that UK tour was also so wrong, as half the team was going to walk with him, but it was Keith that told them to stay. As it was it was the manager, that caused the issue, as he didn't like Keith, & was picking on several players. The truth was found out, on their return home when the manager Ernie Todd passed away, due to cancer, that never came out before the teams departure. I was told that, down at Keith's favourite pub, whilst talking with Keith, just down the road from his Mum's place, in Ravensbourne, a suburb of Dunedin.
scrum
Roar Rookie
I know players who were on the end of his fists or knees. But as he was an icon of NZ rugby this was little mentioned in recent years. To be fair thuggish play was far more prevalent in his day. Met Murdoch in a pub in Mackay. Interesting character to say the least.
Short Arm
Roar Rookie
My father was at the game & can remember him saying that it was pretty blatant. He said the AB pack was out to "kill" Catchpole as he was our main threat & was written about in the pregame. He also said that era of AB pack was notoriously thuggish.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Yep sheek, as possibly one of the biggest losses to Australian rugby was Des Conner. Remember him, as Catchpole was his bench warmer back in the day. Des went to Aotearoa, & ended up in the AB's till displaced by teenage whiz Chris Laidlaw, who was the master of the long pass, that we see nowadays with Aaron Smith.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Having spoken with the man himself, RIP, I can say he was not as thuggish as many think. I've heard the full story from the horse's mouth, so to say, & it was not intentional. As it was, he was a hard man, but nowhere near as hard as my old school buddy Keith Murdoch RIP.
Peter Darrow
Roar Guru
With all due respect Muzzo, you need to read it again.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Better late than ever Peter, but your interpretation of the Catchpole/Meads incident, is an absolute joke. I knew Colin personally, & what actually happened was NOT intentional, as he was doing the right thing by pulling Catchpole out of the ruck, where he was blocking the play, & was on the edge of getting himself a complete going over, as far as the old style of rucking was played back then. He would've been spat out like wood chips at a paper Mill. But yes as we saw, the journo's saw it differently, at the time, making it, as though Colin was in the wrong, when he was trying to possibly save Catchpole from a massive rucking experience. Pity Piney's not around now. RIP Bro. It was the same with a very good mate growing up who was crucified by a particular touring team journo, at the time, who was referred to as a ' Poison Pen ' by many. Many will know who I'm referring too, as i'm talking about Keith Murdoch RIP, who was wrongfully sent home from the AB UK tour.
Gary
Roar Rookie
Hipwell was the ducks guts , he had the all round game and team man to boot . He could set a back line alight with a bullet pass off bad ball from his forwards , great defender , super sniper and tactical kicker . One of my favorite Wallabies .
Muglair
Roar Rookie
Was Fairfax, it was interesting to hear how hard he trained. Probably the same for a lot of the old amateurs, the ones with ambition had to be professional. Talent was often not enough. I remember hearing how Price at Parramatta would not have a beer when injured and would go home, setting the alarm repeatedly through the night to change out melted ice.
Muglair
Roar Rookie
I was watching the highlights from some game recently and that summed it up. Backline in full flow and Mark at a reasonable pace bends forward to catch it on his toes and passes it on to the next player. He was amazing to watch.
Noodles
Roar Rookie
Thanks Peter. I had a couple of games against him at club level. He was simply remarkable and everything you describe. His club team, by the way, was unbeaten for (I think) two years - and produced another Wallaby halfback in Dominic Vaughn. Sadly, the club has fallen apart these days.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Correct me if I’m wrong, but Catchpole never played in another test?
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
I was at the game Peter, as a primary schoolboy, but only sensible to the event through my father's commentary. I remember being devastated at the loss of Catchpole (and the test), but also scandalised that a player could harm a player so severely without sanction. It scandalised my ‘Best and FAIREST’ view of rugby.
Hoy
Roar Guru
I think from memory, this was from NFJ to Ella when NFJ came on the scene... I recall it in "The Rise and Rise of Australian Rugby". "Just throw it out there somewhere and I will catch it".
sheek
Roar Guru
Peter, Just for the record, I drew up the 1st test Wallaby team of 1978 & compared it with the 8th & last test of 1984. Only Slack was in both, which explains him being captain. Moon made his debut in 78 & was missed the last test of 78 through injury. Gould made the touring team of 78 & played in 84. Pilecki also made his test debut in 78 & was a member of the touring squad of 84. Age wise Loane (30), Crowe (29), Hillhouse (29), Ross (28) were all young enough & still good enough to compete for test spots. Of course, Wright & Melrose, 28 & 25 in 84 had already defected to league. As mentioned previously, Oz rugby too often lost players too soon, forcing them into continuous regeneration. Unlike the past decade when too many ordinary Wallabies clocked up 70, 80, 90 100 tests. Irony of ironies…
Peter Darrow
Roar Guru
Thank you Reds.
Reds Harry
Roar Rookie
Fairfax or Price Muglair? Applies to both of them anyway.
Reds Harry
Roar Rookie
Thanks again Peter for another superb writeup. As you say, Hipwell was the complete package as a halfback. Can remember seeing him in his later tests particularly from memory against France at Ballymore 1981 (?) and he was the difference in a game Australia lucky to win. Had a beautiful pass. Just read all the comments below, some great memories and viewpoints. Thank you Roarers! Think it was the 81/82 tour, but can remember Hipwell going off injured in one test and the Wallabies went from being on top to getting run over. Could have been the Welsh game? And completely off topic, but if you’ve got Stan watch Exeter v Northampton for a great game.
Peter Darrow
Roar Guru
Great story Busted.
Busted Fullback
Roar Rookie
G’day sheek. Because I believe Gregan started the Australian 9 habit of lift the ball then pass, giving him time to have a look, rather than go straight off the deck, I put Gregan at #5 with Genia and move the others each up one. As Ashgrove Old Boys, I have a soft spot for Connor but the thing that impressed me the most happened when he was Wallaby coach. A student of the game, Connor worked through the Laws, looking for an advantage (I think it was against the ABs). He took his idea to the ref before the game. The ref agreed with his interpretation and thus began the tactic of the short line out. An innovative Australian. We could do with a few more of them.