List of Australia national rugby union team captains

Last updated

George Gregan, who played for his country between 1994 and 2007, holds the Australian record for Test appearances with 139. He captained the team in 59 Tests. George Gregan.jpg
George Gregan, who played for his country between 1994 and 2007, holds the Australian record for Test appearances with 139. He captained the team in 59 Tests.

Australia has played Test rugby since 1899. Test captains are listed chronologically from the first time they captained Australia in a Test match. Matches are exclusively those that have been granted Test status by the Australian Rugby Union regardless of whether the opposing team's governing body awarded the match Test status or not.

Contents

Captains

Johnnie Wallace captained the 1927-28 New South Wales Waratahs that toured the Northern Hemisphere. The Australian Rugby Union later recognised the international matches from this tour as Test matches. AC Johnny Wallace.jpg
Johnnie Wallace captained the 1927–28 New South Wales Waratahs that toured the Northern Hemisphere. The Australian Rugby Union later recognised the international matches from this tour as Test matches.
Paddy Moran led the Wallabies on the 1908 Tour. 1908 Wallaby run on.jpg
Paddy Moran led the Wallabies on the 1908 Tour.
Players to have captained the Australian rugby union team in a Test match
NumberNameFirst Test
as captain
Last Test
as captain
Total Tests
as captain
Total Tests
as player
Refs
1 Frank Row 1899189933 [1]
[2]
2 Bob McCowan 1899189913 [3]
[4]
3 Stan Wickham 1903190545 [5]
[6]
4 Frank Nicholson 1904190412 [7]
[8]
5 Peter Burge 1907190723 [9]
[10]
6 Allen Oxlade 1907190714 [11]
[12]
7 Herbert Moran 1908190811 [13]
[14]
8 Chris McKivat 1909190914 [15]
[16]
9 Sydney Middleton 1910191034 [17]
[18]
10 Ward Prentice 1912191216 [19]
[20]
11 Ted Fahey 1913191324 [21]
[22]
12 Larry Dwyer 1913191318 [23]
[24]
13 Fred Wood 19141914212 [25]
[26]
14 Jimmy Flynn 1914191412 [27]
[28]
15 William Thornton 1920192038 [29]
[30]
16 Alfred Walker 192219241116 [31]
[32]
17 Darby Loudon 1922192214 [33]
[34]
18 Walter Friend 19231923310 [35]
[36]
19 Billy Sheehan 19231923318 [37]
[38]
20 Ted Thorn 19241926615 [39]
[40]
21 Charlie Fox 19251925117 [41]
[42]
22 Tom Lawton, Snr 19251932714 [43]
[44]
23 Johnnie Wallace 1926192868 [45]
[46]
24 Syd Malcolm 19281933618 [47]
[48]
25 Bob Loudon 19281928113 [49]
[50]
26 Jimmy Clark 1931193115 [51]
[52]
27 Dave Cowper 1933193339 [53]
[54]
28 Alex Ross 19331934320 [55]
[56]
29 Ron Walden 1936193634 [57]
[58]
30 Cyril Towers 19371937219 [59]
[60]
31 Vay Wilson 1938193835 [61]
[62]
32 Bill McLean 1946194745 [63]
[64]
33 Phil Hardcastle 1947194715 [65]
[66]
34 Trevor Allan 194719491014 [67]
[68]
35 Nev Cottrell 19501950214 [69]
[70]
36 Keith Winning 1951195111 [71]
[72]
37 Colin Windon 19511951220 [73]
[74]
38 John Solomon 19521955814 [75]
[76]
39 Nicholas Shehadie 19531954330 [77]
[78]
40 Alan Cameron 19551956420 [79]
[80]
41 Dick Tooth 19571957210 [81]
[82]
42 Bob Davidson 19571958613 [83]
[84]
43 Des Connor 19581958212 [85]
[86]
44 Charles Wilson 1958195834 [87]
[88]
45 Peter Fenwicke 1959195926 [89]
[90]
46 Ken Catchpole 196119681327 [91]
[92]
47 Peter Johnson 19621968542 [93]
[94]
48 Jim Lenehan 19621962124 [95]
[96]
49 John Thornett 196219671637 [97]
[98]
50 Greg Davis 196919721639 [99]
[100]
51 Peter Sullivan 19721973413 [101]
[102]
52 John Hipwell 19731975936 [103]
[104]
53 Geoff Shaw 19751976927 [105]
[106]
54 Tony Shaw 197819811536 [107]
[108]
55 Mark Loane 19791982628 [109]
[110]
56 Paul McLean 19801980130 [111]
[112]
57 Mark Ella 198219831025 [113]
[114]
58 Andrew Slack 198419871939 [115]
[116]
59 Steve Williams 19851985528 [117]
[118]
60 Simon Poidevin 19861987459 [119]
[120]
61 David Codey 19871987113 [121]
[122]
62 Michael Lynagh 198719951572 [123]
[124]
63 Nick Farr-Jones 198819923663 [125]
[126]
64 Phil Kearns 199219951067 [127]
[128]
65 Rod McCall 19951995171 [129]
[130]
66 John Eales 199620015586 [131]
[132]
67 Tim Horan 19961996180 [133]
[134]
68 David Wilson 19971999979 [135]
[136]
69 Jason Little 19991999175 [137]
[138]
70 George Gregan 2001200759139 [139]
[140]
71 Chris Whitaker 20032003131 [141]
[142]
72 Nathan Sharpe 2004201210116 [143]
[144]
73 Phil Waugh 20062007379 [145]
74 Stirling Mortlock 200620092980 [146]
75 George Smith 200720097111 [147]
76 Rocky Elsom 200920112475 [148]
77 James Horwill 201120131662 [149]
78 Will Genia 201120134110 [150]
79 David Pocock 20122019983 [151]
80 Ben Mowen 20132013615 [152]
81 Stephen Moore 2014201726122 [153]
82 Michael Hooper 20142022 68* 124* [lower-alpha 1]
83 James Slipper 2015incumbent 12* 127* [lower-alpha 2]
84 Dean Mumm 20152015157 [172]
85 Allan Alaalatoa 20222022 1* 64* [lower-alpha 3]
Source: ESPN Scrum
  • Updated after the 2022 end-of-year internationals on 26 November 2022.
  • * Indicates totals for players that are current members of the Wallaby squad.
  • Players in green remain active and eligible for Wallaby selection.
Notes
  1. At the end of 2022, Michael Hooper had captained Australia in 68 test matches. He led the team in 64 tests prior to 8 November 2021. [154] He captained the team for a further 4 tests against England – an away match at Twickenham on 13 November 2021, [155] and a home series in June 2022. [156] [157] [158] Hooper has played 124 test matches. [159]
  2. At the end of 2022, James Slipper had captained Australia in 12 test matches. His first test as captain was against the United States in 2015. [160] He then led the team against Wales on 20 November 2021, [161] followed by the six-test Rugby Championship in 2022, [162] [163] [164] [165] [166] [167] and four tests on the end-of-year tour. [168] [169] [170] [171] Slipper has played 127 test matches. [159]
  3. Allan Alaalatoa became the 85th Wallabies captain on 12 November 2022. [173] [174] He has played 64 test matches. [159]

See also

Citations

  1. Howell 2005, p. 18.
  2. "Frank Row". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  3. Howell 2005, p. 20.
  4. "Bob McCowan". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  5. Howell 2005, p. 23.
  6. "Stan Wickham". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  7. Howell 2005, p. 25.
  8. "Frank Nicholson". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  9. Howell 2005, p. 27.
  10. "Peter Burge". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  11. Howell 2005, p. 29.
  12. "Allen Oxlade". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  13. Howell 2005, p. 38.
  14. "Herbert Moran". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  15. Howell 2005, p. 44.
  16. "Chris McKivat". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  17. Howell 2005, p. 47.
  18. "Sydney Middleton". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  19. Howell 2005, p. 50.
  20. "Ward Prentice". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  21. Howell 2005, p. 53.
  22. "Ted Fahey". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  23. Howell 2005, p. 57.
  24. "Larry Dwyer". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  25. Howell 2005, p. 63.
  26. "Fred Wood". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  27. Howell 2005, p. 67.
  28. "Jimmy Flynn". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  29. Howell 2005, p. 70.
  30. "William Thornton". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  31. Howell 2005, p. 73.
  32. "Alfred Walker". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  33. Howell 2005, p. 75.
  34. "Darby Loudon". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  35. Howell 2005, p. 77.
  36. "Walter Friend". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  37. Howell 2005, p. 81.
  38. "Billy Sheehan". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  39. Howell 2005, p. 84.
  40. "Ted Thorn". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  41. Howell 2005, p. 87.
  42. "Charlie Fox". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  43. Howell 2005, p. 91.
  44. "Tom Lawton, Snr". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  45. Howell 2005, p. 94.
  46. "Johnnie Wallace". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  47. Howell 2005, p. 97.
  48. "Syd Malcolm". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  49. Howell 2005, p. 99.
  50. "Bob Loudon". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  51. Howell 2005, p. 101.
  52. "Jimmy Clark". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  53. Howell 2005, p. 104.
  54. "Dave Cowper". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  55. Howell 2005, p. 109.
  56. "Alex Ross". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  57. Howell 2005, p. 112.
  58. "Ron Walden". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  59. Howell 2005, p. 116.
  60. "Cyril Towers". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  61. Howell 2005, p. 119.
  62. "Vay Wilson". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  63. Howell 2005, p. 123.
  64. "Bill McLean". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  65. Howell 2005, p. 126.
  66. "Phil Hardcastle". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  67. Howell 2005, p. 129.
  68. "Trevor Allan". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  69. Howell 2005, p. 132.
  70. "Nev Cottrell". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  71. Howell 2005, p. 134.
  72. "Keith Winning". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  73. Howell 2005, p. 139.
  74. "Colin Windon". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  75. Howell 2005, p. 144.
  76. "John Solomon". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  77. Howell 2005, p. 148.
  78. "Nicholas Shehadie". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  79. Howell 2005, p. 151.
  80. "Alan Cameron". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  81. Howell 2005, p. 154.
  82. "Dick Tooth". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  83. Howell 2005, p. 158.
  84. "Bob Davidson". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  85. Howell 2005, p. 161.
  86. "Des Connor". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  87. Howell 2005, p. 165.
  88. "Charles Wilson". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  89. Howell 2005, p. 168.
  90. "Peter Fenwicke". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  91. Howell 2005, p. 173.
  92. "Ken Catchpole". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  93. Howell 2005, p. 177.
  94. "Peter Johnson". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  95. Howell 2005, p. 181.
  96. "Jim Lenehan". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  97. Howell 2005, p. 185.
  98. "John Thornett". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  99. Howell 2005, p. 189.
  100. "Greg Davis". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  101. Howell 2005, p. 193.
  102. "Peter Sullivan". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  103. Howell 2005, p. 197.
  104. "John Hipwell". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  105. Howell 2005, p. 201.
  106. "Geoff Shaw". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  107. Howell 2005, p. 207.
  108. "Tony Shaw". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  109. Howell 2005, p. 212.
  110. "Mark Loane". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  111. Howell 2005, p. 216.
  112. "Paul McLean". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  113. Howell 2005, p. 220.
  114. "Mark Ella". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  115. Howell 2005, p. 225.
  116. "Andrew Slack". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  117. Howell 2005, p. 229.
  118. "Steve Williams". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  119. Howell 2005, p. 234.
  120. "Simon Poidevin". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  121. Howell 2005, p. 237.
  122. "David Codey". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  123. Howell 2005, p. 243.
  124. "Michael Lynagh". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  125. Howell 2005, p. 251.
  126. "Nick Farr-Jones". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  127. Howell 2005, p. 258.
  128. "Phil Kearns". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  129. Howell 2005, p. 262.
  130. "Rod McCall". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  131. Howell 2005, p. 270.
  132. "John Eales". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  133. Howell 2005, p. 275.
  134. "Tim Horan". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  135. Howell 2005, p. 281.
  136. "David Wilson". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  137. Howell 2005, p. 284.
  138. "Jason Little". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  139. Howell 2005, p. 289.
  140. "George Gregan". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  141. Howell 2005, p. 292.
  142. "Chris Whitaker". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  143. Howell 2005, p. 295.
  144. "Nathan Sharpe". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  145. "Phil Waugh". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  146. "Stirling Mortlock". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  147. "George Smith". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  148. "Rocky Elsom". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  149. "James Horwill". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  150. "Will Genia". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  151. "David Pocock". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  152. "Ben Mowen". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  153. "Stephen Moore". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  154. "Michael Hooper". ESPN. Archived from the original on 29 November 2022.
  155. "England 32-15 Australia". rugby.com.au. 2 July 2022. Archived from the original on 28 November 2022.
  156. "Wallabies defy injuries, cards for famous win over England". rugby.com.au. 2 July 2022.
  157. "England level series with tough win over battered Wallabies". rugby.com.au. 2 July 2022.
  158. "England hold on to claim Ella-Mobbs Cup - Rugby Australia6". rugby.com.au. 16 July 2022.
  159. 1 2 3 "Most Appearances for Australia". rugbydatabase.co.nz. Archived from the original on 28 November 2022.
  160. "James Slipper". ESPN. Archived from the original on 29 November 2022.
  161. "Wales 29-28 Australia: Rhys Priestland seals narrow victory after nervy end to autumn finale". Wales Online. 20 November 2021. Archived from the original on 28 November 2022.
  162. "Wallabies secure comeback victory over Argentina despite Cooper injury". rugby.com.au. 2 August 2022.
  163. "Argentina too strong for Wallabies". rugby.com.au. 14 August 2022.
  164. "Koroibete magic powers Wallabies to victory over Springboks". rugby.com.au. 27 August 2022.
  165. "Springboks prove too strong for Wallabies". rugby.com.au. 2 September 2022.
  166. "All Blacks claim victory on the siren". rugby.com.au. 14 September 2022.
  167. "All Blacks claim victory on the siren". rugby.com.au. 24 September 2022.
  168. "Wallabies hold on for hard-fought victory over Scotland". rugby.com.au. 30 October 2022.
  169. "France escape with victory over Wallabies". rugby.com.au. 5 November 2022.
  170. "Ireland hold on to defeat valiant, wounded Wallabies". rugby.com.au. 19 November 2022.
  171. "Wallabies stun Wales to claim remarkable comeback victory". rugby.com.au. 26 November 2022.
  172. "Dean Mumm". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  173. "Alan Alaalatoa named 85th Wallabies captain for Italy Test". The Guardian. 10 November 2022. Archived from the original on 23 November 2022.
  174. "Italy hold on to defeat Wallabies". rugby.com.au. 12 November 2022.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Zealand national rugby union team</span> Mens rugby union team of New Zealand

The New Zealand national rugby union team, commonly known as the All Blacks, represents New Zealand in men's international rugby union, which is considered the country's national sport. Famed for their international success, the All Blacks have often been regarded as one of the most successful sports teams in history.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Australia national rugby union team</span>

The Australia national rugby union team, nicknamed the Wallabies, is the representative national team in the sport of rugby union for the nation of Australia. The team first played at Sydney in 1899, winning their first test match against the touring British Isles team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">George Gregan</span> Australian rugby union player

George Musarurwa Gregan AM is a retired Australian rugby union player, and is currently Australia's most capped international player.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eddie Jones (rugby union)</span> Australian rugby union coach and former player

Edward Jones is an Australian rugby union coach and former player. He most recently coached the Australia national team from January until October 2023. He previously coached Australia, Japan and England. He returned to the role of Japan head coach in January 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Berrick Barnes</span> Australia international rugby union & league footballer

Berrick Steven Barnes is a former Australian professional rugby union footballer. His usual position is fly-half or inside centre. He is previously played with Japanese Top League clubs Panasonic Wild Knights and the Ricoh Black Rams, as well as in the Super Rugby competition with the NSW Waratahs and Queensland Reds. He also played for the Wallabies in international matches.

John Edward Thornett, MBE was an Australian rugby union player, who played 37 Tests for Australia between 1955 and 1967 and made an additional 77 representative match appearances. He captained Australia in 16 Test matches and on an additional 47 tour matches on the eight international rugby tours he made with Wallaby squads.

Kenneth William Catchpole was an Australian rugby union footballer. A state and national representative half-back, he played twenty-seven matches for Australia, thirteen as captain. Catchpole rose through the ranks at the Randwick club as a young man, before making his debut for New South Wales at only 19 years of age, then captaining Australia at age 21. He is considered one of Australia's greatest rugby scrumhalves.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mark Loane</span> Ophthalmologist and former rugby player

Dr Mark Edward Loane AM FRANZCO FRACS is an Australian ophthalmic surgeon and former rugby union player. He completed medical school and trained as an ophthalmologist in Queensland, where he continues to practice in both the public and private health systems. Loane was proclaimed Member of the Order of Australia in 2011 for his service to medicine, particularly Indigenous eye health.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Johnnie Wallace</span> Rugby player

Arthur Cooper "Johnnie" Wallace was an Australian rugby union player, a state and national representative three-quarter who captained the Waratahs on 25 occasions in the 1920s as well as representing Scotland early in his career.

Between October 1966 and March 1967 the Australia national rugby union team – the Wallabies – conducted a world tour on which they played five Tests and thirty-one minor tour matches. Under the captaincy of John Thornett they toured UK, Ireland, France and Canada winning nineteen matches, losing fourteen and drawing three. At one stage they failed to win in four successive matches although in the Test match against England they gave the home side its heaviest defeat in 16 years. The tour marked the climax of the successful "Thornett Era" of Australian Rugby, buoyed by the leadership skills of skipper John Thornett and the outstanding abilities of greats of the game like Ken Catchpole, Peter Johnson and Rob Heming. Dick Marks and Peter Crittle also toured and would later become among the most influential administrators of Australian rugby.

James Alexander Slipper is an Australian professional rugby union player who plays as a prop for Super Rugby club ACT Brumbies and captains the Australia national team.

Walter Smale "Watty" Friend was an Australian rugby union player, a state and national representative lock forward in the 1920s. Ten of his New South Wales state appearances have since been decreed as Test matches by the Australian Rugby Union and Friend, who led the side in three such matches in 1923, was therefore a captain of the Australian national team.

Robert Briton Loudon was a New Zealand born rugby union player, a flanker who made twenty-three representative appearances for the New South Wales state team in the 1920s. Seven of these matches have since been decreed as Test matches by the Australian Rugby Union and Loudon, who led the side in one such match in 1928, was therefore a captain of the Australian national team. After rugby union restarted in Queensland in 1929, and national selections were made from the two states Loudon played in six further full Australian Wallaby Test sides. In addition to his thirteen Test matches he made a further twenty-one tour match appearances for representative Australian sides on three international tours between 1923 and 1933.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michael Hooper (rugby union)</span> Australian rugby union player

Michael Kent Hooper is an Australian professional rugby union player who is the former captain of the Australia national team, the Wallabies. His primary position is openside flanker.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Allan Alaalatoa</span> Australian rugby union player

Allan Alaalatoa is an Australian professional rugby union player who plays as a prop for the Brumbies in Super Rugby and the Australian rugby union team, the Wallabies.

Gregory Victor Davis was a New Zealand born, national representative rugby union player for Australia. He played at flanker and made seven international tours with Wallaby squads. He was the Australian national captain in 47 matches from 1969 to 1972 and led the Wallaby side on three overseas tours.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peter Johnson (rugby union)</span> Rugby player

Peter George Johnson was an Australian international rugby union player. He enjoyed a long state and international career throughout the 1960s and made 92 national appearances for his country. He captained the Australian side in five Test matches.

Geoffrey Arnold Shaw is an Australian former national representative rugby union player who played for and captained the Wallabies. He made state representative appearances for both New South Wales and Queensland over an eleven-year period from 1969.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Garrick Fay</span> Rugby player

Garrick Fay is an Australian businessman and former international rugby player. Garrick was a member of the Australian national team from 1971-79.

The 2022 Rugby Championship was the tenth edition of the annual southern hemisphere competition, involving Argentina, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. The tournament returned to being staged across all competing nations after the disruption from COVID-19 in 2020 and 2021.

References